1
as in blunders
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 mistakes
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 tricks
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 stings
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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Recent Examples of gaffs
Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Dec. 2025
Noun
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gaffs
Noun
-
Noem’s dissmissal comes after she was berated by lawmakers on Capitol Hill over a series of disastrous blunders by her department, including the killings of two American citizens by border patrol agents in Minneapolis and apparent attempts by DHS to stifle investigations into the shootings.—
Emily Zemler,
Rolling Stone,
6 Mar. 2026
-
While the Raptors have still been good in clutch situations — when the scoring margin is within five in the final five minutes of a game — that sample has included some notable blunders.—
Eric Koreen,
New York Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Last week, Bay Hill punished mistakes with force.—
Jenny Catlin,
New York Times,
12 Mar. 2026
-
However, before planting your favorite blooms in these vessels, there are a few common mistakes to be aware of.—
Alexandra Kelly,
Martha Stewart,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Specific to the Celimax formula, the Vita A Retinal Shot contains matrixyl 3000, an anti-aging peptide, that tricks your skin to produce more collagen, leading to firmer, tighter looking skin.—
Reece Andavolgyi,
InStyle,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Freeing up floor space by mounting items on walls or using floating furniture tricks the eye into seeing a larger room.—
Olivia McIntosh,
Martha Stewart,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
And that’s the part that stings.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 Mar. 2026
-
The loss stings, but doesn’t change the outlook of TCU’s chances of contending during March Madness.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Athletic director Scott Barnes has made a series of gaffes in Corvallis.—
Jon Wilner,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Her predecessor, Geoff Morrell, was unpopular internally and connected to several gaffes that didn’t help Chapek’s rocky time at the helm.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
No man’s land Remarkably, all of this has been happening in a regulatory vacuum and with technology that is known to make errors.—
Parmy Olson,
Mercury News,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Documents released since December have included redaction errors, leaked victim identities, and ongoing complaints of mishandling by department officials.—
Alanna Durkin Richer,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
What fools these non-OpenAI mortals must be.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Inspired by real stories, Eva Marcille portrays a wife who miraculously cheats death after her husband’s (Tyler Lepley) betrayal in Pushed Off a Plane and Survived airing on February 28.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Blashill wants the Blackhawks to be a fast-pressure team at both ends of the rink, one that attacks vertically but never cheats for offense.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gaffs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gaffs. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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