1
as in blunders
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 mistakes
an unintentional departure from truth or accuracy
so-called debates, which seemed to be mainly about seeing which candidate made the most gaffes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of gaffes
There were still some gaffes during the game, as there always will be against someone like Mahomes, but seeing a coming-of-age showing with a backup-heavy group and players early into their careers will go a long way this season.
—
Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
The two teams traded special teams gaffes.
—Kansas City Star, 26 Oct. 2025
Bad center snaps, dropped passes, pre-snap penalties, gaffes by the defensive secondary.
—Jeff Faraudo, Mercury News, 25 Oct. 2025
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
Even diligent Webberheads will need to overlook certain gaffes, like a hero who seems to have tied himself up in a climactic moment and a Stygian lair well marked with glowing Exit signs.
—Vince Aletti, New Yorker, 3 Oct. 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
From Mitchell’s two gaffes to the Colts only playing 10 men on defense on Atwell’s TD, Indianapolis lost the game as much as the Rams won it.
—Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 28 Sep. 2025
Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
The two teams traded special teams gaffes.
—Kansas City Star, 26 Oct. 2025
Bad center snaps, dropped passes, pre-snap penalties, gaffes by the defensive secondary.
—Jeff Faraudo, Mercury News, 25 Oct. 2025
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
Even diligent Webberheads will need to overlook certain gaffes, like a hero who seems to have tied himself up in a climactic moment and a Stygian lair well marked with glowing Exit signs.
—Vince Aletti, New Yorker, 3 Oct. 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
From Mitchell’s two gaffes to the Colts only playing 10 men on defense on Atwell’s TD, Indianapolis lost the game as much as the Rams won it.
—Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 28 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gaffes
Noun
-
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
-
This season, it is considered a win if the Broncos commit fewer than five blunders a week under Darren Rizzi.—
Joe Nguyen,
Denver Post,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Will Baltimore manage to thwart a Vikings rushing attack that gashed the Lions for 142 yards, cause McCarthy to assume a heavier load than Minnesota’s coaches would like and force the first-year starter into youthful mistakes?—
Mike Jones,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Hoover finished 319 yards on 34-of-50 passing, but his two turnovers were critical mistakes that led to TCU’s slow start in the first half.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Orlando dominated the home stretch, however, by capitalizing on a string of Celtics errors.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Tied again at 21, the Rattlers had three hitting errors down the stretch.—
Tim Meehan SD,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
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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Both their indiscretions seem to be a thing of the past, if King Charles’s actions are to be believed.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
31 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gaffes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gaffes. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
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