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
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Recent Examples of gaffes
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
Cutting down on defensive gaffes that surely stick out in voters’ minds will vault him into a group with the best rearguards in the sport.
—Peter Baugh, New York Times, 11 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
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
Cutting down on defensive gaffes that surely stick out in voters’ minds will vault him into a group with the best rearguards in the sport.
—Peter Baugh, New York Times, 11 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 post 9/11 blunders in which Cheney played a part can be tied to the rise of ISIS, perennial instability in the Middle East, the migrant crisis and the crushing debt burden ($38 trillion and counting) that looms over the US economy.—
Ben Wedeman,
CNN Money,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Potential adversaries interpret political action in zero-sum terms; see malice and evil design in mere blunders and coincidence; trumpet necessity rather than navigate choice; and, in extreme cases, invent pretext or promise profit to make more palatable a dubious cause.—
Elizabeth D. Samet,
Foreign Affairs,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The hitters can extend at-bats or, in the case of Guerrero and veteran George Springer, detonate mistakes.—
Andy McCullough,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Assisting guests to create memorable experiences through the years means Ali has also seen his fair share of requests that shed light on some of the biggest travel mistakes.—
Kristin Braswell,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Though Boston dealt with defensive issues, leading the league with 116 errors, the team clearly has a bright future.—
Shaun McAvoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
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The Wolverines then made three consecutive hitting errors, essentially putting the set out of reach.—
Lou Ponsi,
Oc Register,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
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 6 Nov. 2025.
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