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
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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.
—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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Tunsil plummeted out of the top ten, falling all the way to the 13th pick, where the Miami Dolphins were the beneficiaries of his blunder.—
Austin Perry OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
22 Apr. 2026
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That such a blunder might be shrugged off and even celebrated, rather than shamefully shunted away, struck Schuch as a very American notion.—
Lauren Collins,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Unfortunately, admitting mistakes doesn’t come easily for many people.—
Hartford Courant,
Hartford Courant,
25 Apr. 2026
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To avoid this big mistake, figure out in advance exactly how deep the hole should be, and be careful not to dig any deeper.—
Beth Botts,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Deed theft is when a scammer steals someone's home, often by forging documents or tricking someone into signing over a deed.—
Tim McNicholas,
CBS News,
24 Apr. 2026
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But ShinyHunters has been known to use English-language phone calls and impersonation to trick victims, or what’s known as voice phishing.—
Michael Kan,
PC Magazine,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Notice something small, then compliment it This one is almost cheating.—
Henna Pryor,
CNBC,
20 Apr. 2026
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Naumann also did Loughlin’s hair for this March outing, which marked the mother and daughters’ first red-carpet appearance together since the 2019 college admissions cheating scandal.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
18 Apr. 2026
Noun
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In mounting the show, Schuch and her team committed a gaffe of their own.—
Lauren Collins,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
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In last Wednesday’s series finale against the San Diego Padres, Chapman committed two throwing errors and was caught on camera airing out first baseman Casey Schmitt following the second gaffe.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Following a throwing error that allowed Trevor Story to reach with two outs, Marcelo Mayer drove an RBI double the opposite way off the Green Monster to give the Red Sox their first lead of the series.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
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The surplus turned out to be a mirage, based on a $165 billion error in revenue estimates over four years.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The shark is a pleasing stand-in for a big bossy grownup, easily fooled.—
Elise Broach,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
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Don’t be fooled by Morejón’s unsightly ERA.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Many hospital systems in Connecticut have stopped suing their patients over unpaid bills, stung by criticism about the harm caused by aggressive collection tactics.—
Noam N. Levey,
Hartford Courant,
20 Apr. 2026
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The sounds of music Copeland is used to sharing the limelight with Sting, rather than with animals that can sting.—
Bill Whitaker,
CBS News,
19 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gaff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gaff. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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