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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Example Sentences
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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
-
Overall, those who laughed at their own minor blunders were judged more positively than those who appeared visibly embarrassed.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Sadly, Israel will eventually not be as lucky as Magoo, who always manages to walk away from his blunders unscathed.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Builders make many types of mistakes in their plans, according to Terri Faulkner, a floor plan design expert in Rocklin, California.—
Lew Sichelman,
Miami Herald,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Letting your kids make mistakes and learn from them is a great way to help them to learn independence.—
Margery D. Rosen,
Parents,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Wasps are territorial, so hanging a fake nest near a problem area tricks them into thinking another colony has already claimed the space.—
Nicole Letts,
Southern Living,
25 Feb. 2026
-
One of the dangers of the Midwestern climate is a late-winter warm spell that thaws the soil and tricks bulbs and other plants into sprouting too early.—
Beth Botts,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
That role, and the vitriol from within the industry toward the movie (a flop turned cult favorite), still stings.—
Cat Woods,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Mar. 2026
-
The result stings, but the fightback should give them confidence to carry forward.—
Sukhman Singh,
New York Times,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
Continue reading … DIGITAL'S NEWS QUIZ — Where did AOC commit gaffes on global stage?—
,
FOXNews.com,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The digital freight forward launched an AI agent built to conduct an audit on all past customs entries to identify mistakes and compliance errors, as well as pinpoint entries where duties might have been over or underpaid.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Demand written confirmation of errors.—
Christopher Elliott,
Mercury News,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
What fools these non-OpenAI mortals must be.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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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 7 Mar. 2026.
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