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
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
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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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
-
The Phillies got some help in the eighth inning on a baserunning blunder by Fernando Tatis, on first base with two outs after his third hit of the game.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
3 June 2026
-
Adell misplayed a flyball into a bizarre home run off his head Tuesday, a fielding blunder reminiscent of José Canseco's embarrassing gaffe 33 years ago with the Texas Rangers.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
There are always mistakes on the petitions.—
Kevin Rennie,
Hartford Courant,
6 June 2026
-
Wembanyama rectified that mistake on the next play.—
Mark Medina,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
Mailings of replacement cards began in March — and around that time, warnings went out that scammers might take advantage of the change to trick people into handing over personal information.—
Bay Area News Group,
Mercury News,
4 June 2026
-
Parents aren’t trying to trick kids into eating vegetables.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Charlotte Observer,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
With no one coming to save him, Santi learned to save himself — cheating cards, running schemes, talking his way into and out of everything.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
8 June 2026
-
People are robbed, assaulted and cheated.—
Armando Salguero OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
8 June 2026
Noun
-
Outfielder Jo Adell was out of the lineup on Wednesday, a day after an embarrassing gaffe when a ball hit his head and went over the fence.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
4 June 2026
-
Canseco's misplay – one of the most infamous gaffes in sports history – similarly resulted in a home run for the other team.—
Sean Neumann,
PEOPLE,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
Santos, whose political rise and fall was characterized by a notorious trail of lies and falsehoods, claimed my story was riddled with errors.—
Bobby Allyn,
NPR,
4 June 2026
-
The other Philadelphia runs scored on a throwing error by San Diego reliever Yuki Matsui on a pickoff attempt and a fielder's choice by Brandon Marsh.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
But don’t be fooled, Shoshone is well worth exploring in its own right.—
Meghan Palmer,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 June 2026
-
Don’t be fooled by its petite silhouette—the bag still offers plenty of room for well beyond your wallet and keys.—
Kyra Surgent,
InStyle,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
And why they were stung by the events of the last few weeks.—
Thomas Nagorski,
Time,
3 June 2026
-
That doesn't mean the verbal attacks haven't stung.—
Dan Zaksheske OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gaff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gaff. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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