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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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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
-
Let the rookie learn on the fly, make mistakes, and grow.—
Michael Gallagher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Get your fruit trees off to a strong start by avoiding these common planting mistakes.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
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
-
In the aftermath of the expensive blunder, Schwarzman was quickly pulled aside by an investor.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The defence remains porous, error-prone and vulnerable on corners.—
Chris Weatherspoon,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
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The Times’ error immediately garnered write-ups in The Washington Post, The New York Times, New York Magazine, and other outlets.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Faux pas.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/faux%20pas. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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