1
as in mistake
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in blunder
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
Kay Johnson, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
Privacy and cybersecurity training are supposed to prevent costly and embarrassing employee gaffs.
—Abigail Dubiniecki, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025
About two minutes before his gaff, Connor Bedard scored a power-play goal (Martin Pospíšil had committed a boarding major against Taylor Hall) to help the Hawks draw within 4-2.
—Phil Thompson, Chicago Tribune, 15 Jan. 2025
Some of the gear commonly used for technical climbing, like gaffs—steel spikes worn on the legs for added grip on the tree trunk when cutting branches—can also cause inadvertent damage to the tallest trees.
—Jayme Moye, Outside Online, 7 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for gaff
Noun
Anglers need both an angling license and a recreational turtle license to harvest turtles using angling gear like hook and line, landing nets and gaff hooks.
—Kay Johnson, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
Privacy and cybersecurity training are supposed to prevent costly and embarrassing employee gaffs.
—Abigail Dubiniecki, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025
About two minutes before his gaff, Connor Bedard scored a power-play goal (Martin Pospíšil had committed a boarding major against Taylor Hall) to help the Hawks draw within 4-2.
—Phil Thompson, Chicago Tribune, 15 Jan. 2025
Some of the gear commonly used for technical climbing, like gaffs—steel spikes worn on the legs for added grip on the tree trunk when cutting branches—can also cause inadvertent damage to the tallest trees.
—Jayme Moye, Outside Online, 7 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for gaff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gaff
Noun
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Having the confidence to make tough decisions, to trust your team, to learn from your mistakes, and to keep moving forward.—
WWD Staff,
Footwear News,
8 Sep. 2025
-
That, in my opinion, is a mistake.—
Arthur Azizov,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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When the event is abruptly cancelled due to a booking blunder, the four seize the chance to brainstorm a sequel, retreating to the film’s original locations for inspiration.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
29 Aug. 2025
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Some staff reportedly asked whether the messages were a mistake, underscoring the confusion and distress caused by the blunder.—
Christer Holloman,
Forbes.com,
28 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Now the abductees are required to trick others in turn.—
Christine Ro,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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In the hacking campaigns Proofpoint analyzed, cybercriminals attempted to trick users into downloading and installing Stealerium as an attachment or a web link, luring victims with typical bait like a fake payment or invoice.—
Ryan Whitwam,
ArsTechnica,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In June 2009, Kate filed for divorce following cheating allegations surrounding Jon.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Park Min-young played a timid wife seeking revenge on her cheating man in Marry My Husband.—
Joan MacDonald,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Due to an editing error, a prior version of this report misstated what match Djokovic is playing Friday.—
Shelby Talcott,
semafor.com,
5 Sep. 2025
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Sabalenka ended the match with 43 winners compared to 27 errors; Pegula was 21 for 15.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
To the American people—don't let this fool you.—
Robert Birsel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
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In autonomous vehicles, a single sticker on a stop sign can fool a vision system.—
Sagar Gupta,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
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This interaction damages skin cells and can trigger irritation, redness, stinging or burning.—
Leslie Baumann,
Miami Herald,
4 Sep. 2025
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Sherry recalls one instance that stung in particular, when a friend pointed out his hair loss at a social gathering.—
Charles Trepany,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
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In its 10-episode first season, the show could use a little more heart and soul behind its high jinks and gaffes.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
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There weren’t any major strategy gaffes in the semis: they just got beat.—
Todd Boss,
Forbes.com,
25 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gaff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gaff. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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