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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of gaff
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
Transport boxes, electronic scales and gaffs, sharp blades that can be attached to roosters' legs during fights, were found on the property, the news statement said.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 15 Feb. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for gaff
Noun
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
Transport boxes, electronic scales and gaffs, sharp blades that can be attached to roosters' legs during fights, were found on the property, the news statement said.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 15 Feb. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for gaff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gaff
Noun
-
And Apple has no plans to release Veritas as a standalone consumer app, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who calls this a mistake, and is calling for Apple to release the AI chatbot as a standalone app.—
Alexei Oreskovic,
Fortune,
29 Sep. 2025
-
But even his mistakes were committed in his desire to protect the integrity of the institution he’d been appointed to lead.—
Billy Ray,
Deadline,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The harsh taste of a blunder at Bethpage Black.—
Brendan Quinn,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Again, special teams blunders set the defense up in poor position, but the defense ultimately coughed up big gains on the ground.—
Mike Kaye
September 28,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In other words, the top search results aren't always safe, and that's exactly how scammers trick people.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
29 Sep. 2025
-
But the content, murky and misleading, is designed to trick Californians into voting for a power grab.—
Laura Koval,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The scandal exposed how some wealthy families cheated and bribed to secure spots for their children at elite universities, sparking nationwide outrage over denied opportunities for more deserving students.—
Hanna Park,
CNN Money,
3 Oct. 2025
-
This isn’t the first time that the couple was surrounded by cheating rumors.—
Lea Veloso,
StyleCaster,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Vehicles included in this recall may have an error in the instrument panel software at startup, failing to show speed, brake system information, and tire pressure warning lights.—
Olivia Evans,
Louisville Courier Journal,
3 Oct. 2025
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Yes, plenty of errors were made — six of them by shortstop Trevor Story in September alone — but errors are different from gaffes.—
Steve Buckley,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Prosecutors told the court the scheme had raised at least $650 million and called it a classic Ponzi structure that fooled even Horwitz’s closest friends.—
Christina Coulter,
PEOPLE,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Don’t let their elegant fancy-restaurant flavors fool you.—
Cathy Thomas,
Oc Register,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Still, losing out on more seasons of Zoë Kravitz playing a lovably bisexual mess navigating New York City particularly stings.—
Abby Monteil,
Them.,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Andreas Helmersen hit the bar while Patrick Berg’s stinging effort was saved by Guglielmo Vicario.—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
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But those encouraging completions were sandwiched among a string of gaffes by Purdy and his receiving crew.—
Matt Barrows,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
-
However, once the defense returned to steady action, the New England offense was consistently set up with strong field position due to special teams and offensive gaffes.—
Mike Kaye
September 28,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gaff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gaff. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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