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
-
Tropicana remains a business school case study on redesign blunders.—
Nathaniel Meyersohn,
CNN Money,
13 Sep. 2025 -
Arizona would have run Kansas State off the field Friday night but for a series of blunders.—
Jon Wilner,
Mercury News,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Rinzel has already been hit up by some of the other prospects for his perspective on rookie camp, on the climb to the NHL and the developmental process, on how to play with aggression and the confidence to make plays rather than with hesitation and the fear of making mistakes.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
-
If the Wildcats cut back on their mistakes.—
Jon Wilner,
Mercury News,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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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
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Although they are born fairly helpless, infants have a few survival tricks up their swaddles.—
Elissa Strauss,
The Atlantic,
28 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The first mozzie of the evening stings my arm.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Sep. 2025
-
But this kind of comment often stings.—
Time,
Time,
26 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The Red Sox committed three errors, including two by second baseman David Hamilton.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
13 Sep. 2025
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The Cordell report has since been discredited — missing transcripts, factual errors and even confusion of key witnesses.—
Matthew J. Frauenfeld,
Mercury News,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Moody’s final gaffes — a 27-yard try off the left upright a minute before halftime, a 36-yarder blocked in the third quarter — carried over bad mojo that has followed him since the end of his rookie season.—
Cam Inman,
Mercury News,
9 Sep. 2025
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In its 10-episode first season, the show could use a little more heart and soul behind its high jinks and gaffes.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 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
Verb
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There may be even greater reasons to put an ad that plucks the heartstrings in front of a broader crowd.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
5 Sep. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Gaffs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gaffs. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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