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lapse

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun lapse differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of lapse are blunder, error, mistake, and slip. While all these words mean "a departure from what is true, right, or proper," lapse stresses forgetfulness, weakness, or inattention as a cause.

a lapse in judgment

When might blunder be a better fit than lapse?

While in some cases nearly identical to lapse, blunder regularly imputes stupidity or ignorance as a cause and connotes some degree of blame.

diplomatic blunders

Where would error be a reasonable alternative to lapse?

Although the words error and lapse have much in common, error suggests the existence of a standard or guide and a straying from the right course through failure to make effective use of this.

procedural errors

In what contexts can mistake take the place of lapse?

In some situations, the words mistake and lapse are roughly equivalent. However, mistake implies misconception or inadvertence and usually expresses less criticism than error.

dialed the wrong number by mistake

When can slip be used instead of lapse?

The words slip and lapse can be used in similar contexts, but slip stresses inadvertence or accident and applies especially to trivial but embarrassing mistakes.

a slip of the tongue

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of lapse
Noun
The controversy represented a significant security lapse that could have affected the mission had the reporter not waited about a week to report on the chat’s contents. Mike Brest, The Washington Examiner, 1 May 2025 Even before Hoffman’s death on Sunday, lawmakers were already quietly scrambling to avoid a lapse in the program. Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 28 Apr. 2025
Verb
Universal life insurance riders No-lapse guarantee: Prevents your policy from lapsing for up to your entire lifetime. Liz Knueven, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2025 Musk is expected to step back from his role leading the initiative known as the Department of Government Efficiency once his 130-day period as a temporary adviser to President Donald Trump has lapsed, Bloomberg reported Thursday. Bloomberg, Mercury News, 4 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lapse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lapse
Noun
  • Yet Vardy took his early setbacks and used them to become one of the most resilient players in history.
    Ciarán McArdle, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
  • By all accounts, there has been no setback in his return from the elbow inflammation that has sidelined him since mid-March.
    Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 May 2025
Noun
  • Jamie Moraga, Franklin Revere NO: San Diego’s roads are in dire condition after years of deferred maintenance; drastically cutting the road-repair budget now would be a serious mistake.
    Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 May 2025
  • Honeywell has learned from its mistakes, delivering a sensible forecast during its April 29 quarterly earnings report.
    Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 9 May 2025
Noun
  • Putin wanted this mini cessation of fighting as cover for his big Victory Day celebration tomorrow in Moscow, honoring the 80th anniversary of the end of the war in Europe (nothing ruins a party like a swarm of suicide drones).
    Carlo Versano, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 May 2025
  • Indeed, in recent weeks, the administration appears to have abandoned efforts to hash out a cessation of hostilities altogether and instead pivoted to a discussion of the terms of a final settlement.
    Samuel Charap, Foreign Affairs, 8 May 2025
Verb
  • Perfumes and Essential Oils Not only can fragrances and essential oils expire, it’s recommended to keep them out of the bathroom entirely.
    Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 May 2025
  • The Big 12’s media rights agreement expires in the summer of 2031, which means the next contract likely will be signed and sealed in the spring of 2030 — during Yormark’s tenure.
    Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 10 May 2025
Noun
  • The speed of that reversal underscores just how fast attitudes are changing.
    Tony Bradley, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
  • The new leadership brought about a radical shift in foreign policy towards a more pro-Islamic, anti-Western approach—and a reversal of its stance towards Israel.
    Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 21 May 2025
Noun
  • Garcia, who denies gang membership, had an immigration court order protecting him from deportation, which the administration acknowledged was an administrative error.
    Bart Jansen, USA Today, 15 May 2025
  • But turning on error correction restored some of the performance.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 14 May 2025
Noun
  • However, when the COVID-19 pandemic brought Broadway to a halt, Koguchi found herself in a foreign country, unable to perform.
    J.M. Banks, Kansas City Star, 17 May 2025
  • People magazine similarly reported the relationship has come to a halt.
    Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 17 May 2025
Verb
  • The game ended on a sacrifice fly at 1:17 a.m. Arkansas will throw junior right-hander Gage Wood against LSU junior right-hander Anthony Eyanson.
    Matt Jones, Arkansas Online, 11 May 2025
  • Conor McGregor took the UFC featherweight title from Aldo in December 2015 with a nasty knockout, ending the fight in 13 seconds.
    Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 10 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Lapse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lapse. Accessed 24 May. 2025.

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