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
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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
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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
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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
-
Over the years across Illinois, there has been a litany of agency miscues, blunders and downright neglect, including several in Lake County.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Mar. 2026
-
The sufferings caused by a statesman’s blunders are larger than the benefits produced by his accomplishments.—
David Brooks,
The Atlantic,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Mental mistakes have led to losses, such as SKC’s most recent 4-1 defeat to the Colorado Rapids on Saturday.—
PJ Green,
Kansas City Star,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Remote diagnostics are a lifeline for IT managers, but simply collecting data on system behavior over time can guide future purchasing decisions and help IT buyers and decision-makers avoid past equipment-acquisition mistakes.—
John Burek,
PC Magazine,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Oppo has some additional fun software tricks up its sleeve.—
Eric Zeman,
PC Magazine,
17 Mar. 2026
-
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
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
-
Last Saturday alone, there were multiple gaffes.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Athletic director Scott Barnes has made a series of gaffes in Corvallis.—
Jon Wilner,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The two teams combined for 49 runs and 11 errors in two games.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Corona del Mar’s four-run third inning was helped by two Newport Harbor errors and Zenz’ two-run single up the middle.—
Steve Fryer,
Oc Register,
21 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
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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 27 Mar. 2026.
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