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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gaffs
Noun
-
Following last week’s blunders against the Rams, in which Mitchell’s mistakes cost the team two touchdowns, he was effectively benched until garbage time in the fourth quarter.—
James Boyd,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 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
Noun
-
However, from time to time mistakes will be made and we will not be held liable.—
Jacob Camenker,
USA Today,
5 Oct. 2025
-
From a potentially serious injury sustained by linebacker Dwight Nunoo to a multitude of mistakes, Saturday’s 51-10 loss to the host Connecticut Huskies (4-2) was devastating to FIU (2-3).—
Walter Villa,
Miami Herald,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Still, nothing tricks us into the spirit of autumn quite like scent.—
Raquel Reichard,
Refinery29,
1 Oct. 2025
-
The interference has included both jamming—overpowering communications with strong radio signals—and spoofing, which tricks receivers into misreading their location or even the time.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
The right to due process is enshrined in both the federal and Massachusetts Constitutions, so any accusation otherwise stings.—
Boston Herald editorial staff,
Boston Herald,
28 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Even when Charlotte did have momentum, there were unforced errors, penalties, and turnovers that resulted in more South Florida points.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
4 Oct. 2025
-
Even the slightest variation can cause errors in quantum computers, sensors, or communications systems.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
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
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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
-
The fragmentary Ni 12501 tablet from the Early Dynastic III period of Mesopotamia breaks off when Fox deceives the inhabitants of the netherworld in his quest to retrieve the storm god Ishkur.—
Rafil Kroll-Zaidi,
Harpers Magazine,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Jackson hustles to his seat in the audience, dead center, behind the main cameras as the chat begins.—
Jem Aswad,
Variety,
30 Sep. 2025
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The costume department hustles to reattach a limping sole as the star breathes through the heat.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
25 Sep. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Gaffs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gaffs. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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