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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Relevance
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
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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
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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of gaff
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
During a fight, birds are typically weighted and then short or long knife and gaff weapons are attached to roosters.
SHARK alerted the county during the fight.
—Allana Smith, Freep.com, 7 Aug. 2025
But the gaff is igniting new calls for Hegseth to be ousted, including from House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (N.Y.).
—Ellen Mitchell, The Hill, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for gaff
Noun
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
During a fight, birds are typically weighted and then short or long knife and gaff weapons are attached to roosters.
SHARK alerted the county during the fight.
—Allana Smith, Freep.com, 7 Aug. 2025
But the gaff is igniting new calls for Hegseth to be ousted, including from House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (N.Y.).
—Ellen Mitchell, The Hill, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for gaff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gaff
Noun
-
The two even argued about the 2008 parking meter deal, one of the city’s biggest financial blunders.—
A.D. Quig,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
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But a series of headwinds, including a recent blunder over see-through leggings, is threatening the company's path forward.—
Mary Cunningham,
CBS News,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
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In the dugout, after hitting an RBI single off Zac Gallen, Kyle made the mistake of catching a video of the TV broadcast.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
21 Feb. 2026
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According to our cleaning pros, these are the most common mistakes people make with comforters, and simple fixes that keep them smelling clean all season.—
Farima Ferguson,
The Spruce,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Extreme Weather Protection Mother Nature can trick us and send in one last big cold front in late winter.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Hill and Bowman run through all those reasons people use to avoid exercise, work through how the brain is trying to trick you and explain how to overcome that particular trap.—
Leying Tang,
CNN Money,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Educational institutions signed contracts with AI detection companies such as GPTZero, ZeroGPT and Turnitin to deter students from cheating and adopted AI policies.—
Liz Shulman,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Feb. 2026
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Meanwhile, our friends to the North seem to be in need of a timeout after cheating allegations.—
John Cherwa,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The gaffe led to multiple calls for Stars goalie Jake Oettinger online.—
SportsDay Staff,
Dallas Morning News,
14 Feb. 2026
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But Boldy made amends for his gaffe leading to the first goal by saving a goal this time around.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
12 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The man is facing a charge of grossly negligent homicide, with state prosecutors in Innsbruck accusing him of making multiple errors, including seeking help too late and not carrying suitable equipment.—
Sophie Tanno,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
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The poll found that Cornyn, Hunt and Paxton all have a lead over Crockett and Talarico in a hypothetical November matchup, but that their leads are within the poll’s margin of error.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
What fools these non-OpenAI mortals must be.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
15 Feb. 2026
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Still, don’t be fooled by the light turnout.—
Alyssa Goldberg,
USA Today,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The loss of Puig, who might be the most irreplaceable player in MLS, will certainly sting.—
Kevin Baxter,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
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Further down the supply chain, former Army Ranger Patrick Montgomery, who runs KC Cattle Company, located outside Kansas City, Missouri, has been stung by high prices.—
Bloomberg Wire,
Dallas Morning News,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gaff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gaff. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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