1
as in blunder
a socially improper or unsuitable act or remark
you can expect to make some amusing gaffs until you get more familiar with the language
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in mistake
an unintentional departure from truth or accuracy
double-check the new writer's grammar, as it's typically riddled with gaffs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to trick
to cause to believe what is untrue
a sleazy schemer who gaffed gullible people into thinking they could get rich with a money-making opportunity
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to cheat
to rob by the use of trickery or threats
the operators of the traveling carnival had gaffed patrons with a variety of time-honored ruses
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of gaff
Rachel McRady,
PEOPLE,
6 Jan. 2026
Cockfighting draws scrutiny, too, with homes searched for steroids or gaffs — the sharp blades that get strapped to a fighting rooster’s feet.
—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 Dec. 2025
Our crew were the boat’s recently wed co-owners, Watson and Stella Marina, experienced sailors who bought the 1938 Danish gaff cutter in 2020 and now run trips out of Cornwall and the west coast of Scotland from April to September.
—
Alexander Barlow,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 Sep. 2025
Crowe leaped from the boat with a fishing gaff and, after several fumbles, managed to flip the trembling, bloodied creature onto the bow deck.
—
Nathaniel Rich,
Harpers Magazine,
20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gaff
Noun
Jodie Foster had a funny live gaff during her Tuesday, Jan. 6 appearance on the Today show.
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Rachel McRady,
PEOPLE,
6 Jan. 2026
Cockfighting draws scrutiny, too, with homes searched for steroids or gaffs — the sharp blades that get strapped to a fighting rooster’s feet.
—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 Dec. 2025
Our crew were the boat’s recently wed co-owners, Watson and Stella Marina, experienced sailors who bought the 1938 Danish gaff cutter in 2020 and now run trips out of Cornwall and the west coast of Scotland from April to September.
—
Alexander Barlow,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 Sep. 2025
Crowe leaped from the boat with a fishing gaff and, after several fumbles, managed to flip the trembling, bloodied creature onto the bow deck.
—
Nathaniel Rich,
Harpers Magazine,
20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gaff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gaff
Noun
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Colorado's rally offset a pair of baserunning blunders that ended the eighth.
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One Republican senator calling this the worst foreign policy blunder in decades.
Noun
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The Dodgers took full advantage of the Padres’ defensive mistakes to jump-start their offense.
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Bad luck happens, but preventable mistakes almost always cause road problems.
Verb
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Ricky Saints tricked the referee into thinking Lil Yachty used the kendo stick on him, and after traveling all the way to Riyadh, Yachty was tossed out just minutes into the match.
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Use a password manager so fake sites do not trick you into reusing passwords.
Verb
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The fans were cheated Sunday out of a chance to see an interesting pitching matchup between Shota Imanaga and Dylan Cease, the former Cubs farmhand and former White Sox pitcher.
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For example, a spouse who catches their partner cheating and kills someone in the heat of emotion.
Noun
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DoorDash can at least take comfort in the fact that Dot’s latest gaffe isn’t wholly unique.
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Or all the times Republicans went after former President Joe Biden’s gaffes?
Noun
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With Yerry De los Santos also fumbling a bunt in the eighth, the Yanks tallied a season-high four errors on the night.
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Michael Conforto, Alex Bregman and Ian Happ had RBI hits in the sixth, when the Cubs’ runs were unearned thanks to a pair of errors.
Verb
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Don’t be fooled; this isn’t your typical museum.
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Don’t be fooled by its breezy ’60s-analog vintage pop sound.
Verb
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Home Depot and rival Lowe’s must also confront a weak housing market, which has been stung by stubbornly high interest rates and rising building material expenses.
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Christie Ray/Queen Bee Supply via AP A photojournalist from CBS affiliate KDFM also captured video despite being stung , the station reported.
Cite this Entry
“Gaff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gaff. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
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