1
as in blunder
a socially improper or unsuitable act or remark
committed a huge gaffe when she started drinking from the finger bowl
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in mistake
an unintentional departure from truth or accuracy
so-called debates, which seemed to be mainly about seeing which candidate made the most gaffes
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of gaffe
In 2024, then-President Joe Biden ended his reelection bid after a series of gaffes and a poor debate performance raised concerns about his cognitive state.
—
James Bickerton, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Melvin’s co-hosts also shared some of their own on-air gaffes, including Daly, 52, who had a story that left him feeling embarrassed.
—Liza Esquibias, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
The New York City mayoral debate went by largely without incident, ending hopes from Zohran Mamdani’s opponents of a major gaffe that could dent his campaign momentum.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 17 Oct. 2025
The latest gaffe came Saturday in the Broncos’ 41-25 win over New Mexico, when the Lobos’ Damon Bankston had a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gaffe
James Bickerton, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Melvin’s co-hosts also shared some of their own on-air gaffes, including Daly, 52, who had a story that left him feeling embarrassed.
—Liza Esquibias, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
The New York City mayoral debate went by largely without incident, ending hopes from Zohran Mamdani’s opponents of a major gaffe that could dent his campaign momentum.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 17 Oct. 2025
The latest gaffe came Saturday in the Broncos’ 41-25 win over New Mexico, when the Lobos’ Damon Bankston had a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gaffe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gaffe
Noun
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Reminded of a financial blunder?—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
10 Nov. 2025
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The series had so many moments — center fielders trucking left fielders, base-running blunders, walk offs, extra-innings games.—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
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In a game in which little went right on offense, Rodgers’ two costliest mistakes led directly to Chargers points.—
Mike DeFabo,
New York Times,
10 Nov. 2025
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An undisclosed person or company was using that form with his name, said Asnani, who framed the issue as a likely mistake and emphasized he was not involved in any Missouri campaigns.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
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That does leave retailers less margin for error and requires a better mastery of data analytics to improve demand forecasting—making sure that what is on offer matches what shoppers want.—
Phil Wahba,
Fortune,
7 Nov. 2025
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Kelly did not disclose what structural engineering issues the building had, but said that the company's structural engineering firm informed Amazon of its error in a statement without elaborating.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Here’s where the show does have some awareness about its characters’ problematic indiscretions, and Carrington pushes back to point out that a relationship with a trans woman isn’t anything to be ashamed of.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
5 Nov. 2025
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Navratilova’s practiced that forgiveness, even now as Lemigova finds herself amid a sea of public scrutiny for exposing her indiscretion on the reunion stage.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
17 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gaffe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gaffe. Accessed 17 Nov. 2025.
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