as in mistake
a socially improper or unsuitable act or remark
according to an oft-told story, the queen set a guest at ease about a faux pas by politely imitating it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of faux pas
From Maison Margiela’s spring 2005 button-down shirt covered in lipstick kisses to pieces from Paolo Carzana’s fall 2025 collection, grime is explored as a political statement, rather than social faux pas.
—
Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2025
Read on for the five faux pas to avoid to score timeless treasures that'll add character to your home for years to come.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Sep. 2025
Michael Scott was such a massive personality, so over-the-top and socially awkward and vain, that much of the story revolved around his myriad social faux pas and unforced errors.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
However, amid her fashion faux pas, Cabello's had some serious style wins over the years.
—Michelle Lee, People.com, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for faux pas
Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2025
Read on for the five faux pas to avoid to score timeless treasures that'll add character to your home for years to come.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Sep. 2025
Michael Scott was such a massive personality, so over-the-top and socially awkward and vain, that much of the story revolved around his myriad social faux pas and unforced errors.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
However, amid her fashion faux pas, Cabello's had some serious style wins over the years.
—Michelle Lee, People.com, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for faux pas
Recent Examples of Synonyms for faux pas
Noun
-
That’s because investors often interpret diversity crises as signs of systemic failure, rather than isolated mistakes.—
Prachi Gala,
The Conversation,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Same for Dax Hill, focusing on going back to work and correcting mistakes.—
Paul Dehner Jr,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The post 9/11 blunders in which Cheney played a part can be tied to the rise of ISIS, perennial instability in the Middle East, the migrant crisis and the crushing debt burden ($38 trillion and counting) that looms over the US economy.—
Ben Wedeman,
CNN Money,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Potential adversaries interpret political action in zero-sum terms; see malice and evil design in mere blunders and coincidence; trumpet necessity rather than navigate choice; and, in extreme cases, invent pretext or promise profit to make more palatable a dubious cause.—
Elizabeth D. Samet,
Foreign Affairs,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
That does leave retailers less margin for error and requires a better mastery of data analytics to improve demand forecasting—making sure that what is on offer matches what shoppers want.—
Phil Wahba,
Fortune,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Kelly did not disclose what structural engineering issues the building had, but said that the company's structural engineering firm informed Amazon of its error in a statement without elaborating.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Faux pas.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/faux%20pas. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share