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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
One of those lapses led to a false start penalty during practice. Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025 The Hamilton Manufacturing Company’s regulations for keepers, for example, show that they were also expected to manage the conduct of their residents, report any misbehavior or lapses in church attendance, and maintain the yards and sidewalks of their houses. The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 2 Apr. 2025
Verb
Deadlines have not yet lapsed for three of those companies — Block, American Honda Finance Corporation and the money transfer business Wise, which were together ordered to pay $85.8 million — to submit redress payment plans, also raising doubts as to whether the CFPB will be able to approve them. Douglas Gillison, USA TODAY, 3 Mar. 2025 An online check of those states’ records say his Georgia license lapsed in 2011 and Virginia license expired in 2003. David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 7 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lapse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lapse
Noun
  • Caliente – real name Bianca Castro -had in recent days suffered a serious health setback which included the loss of her right leg.
    Caroline Frost, Deadline, 27 Apr. 2025
  • The Two-Way Justice Department Issues Scathing Report On Baltimore Police Department There have been setbacks in Sandtown, too.
    Sarah Handel, NPR, 26 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Justice Department lawyers contend FBI agents acted in good faith despite the mistake and shouldn't be second-guessed by the courts.
    Bart Jansen, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Maybe everything that follows is a cascade of mistakes stemming from this decision.
    Keith Phipps, Vulture, 28 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Most of these disruptions begin to normalize soon after alcohol cessation.
    Jesse Pines, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
  • The other story is that of the abrupt cessation of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ program for the resettlement of migrants and refugees, announced in a Washington Post opinion piece this past Monday, by Archbishop Timothy Broglio, the current president of the conference.
    Paul Elie, New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • England international Trent Alexander-Arnold is set to leave under freedom of contract once his deal expires in the summer, but Liverpool will have the opportunity to strengthen the weaker areas of their squad while maintaining stability and already having title-winning foundations in place.
    Andy Jones, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
  • Zhao was on a student visa in Australia, which expired in April 2020, according to reports.
    Escher Walcott, People.com, 28 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • In a stunning reversal, that gargantuan mammal had caught me.
    Nina E. Cerfolio, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2025
  • In a major reversal, the federal government is restoring the records of hundreds, and possibly thousands, of international students whose entries in a crucial database the government had abruptly terminated in recent weeks, a move that had complicated their ability to stay in the country.
    Adrian Florido, NPR, 25 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Graham Pauley singled and advanced to third when a fielder’s choice turned into a throwing error on Bohm.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Kyren Paris reached on an error by Matt Chapman at third, with Chapman cutting in front of Adames with the ball bounding into the outfield to bring Neto home with the second run.
    Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 19 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The Celtics outscored it 30-18 as the Magic’s offense ground to a halt.
    Josh Robbins, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2025
  • Vehicles on every road in Israel come to a halt and drivers emerge from their cars or trucks to stand at attention.
    Rabbi Steve Roth, Sun Sentinel, 23 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Major automakers want Congress to bar California's landmark plan to end the sale of gasoline-only vehicles by 2035 that has been adopted by 11 other states, warning the rules could begin impacting vehicle shipments in a few months.
    David Shepardson, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025
  • The festival kicks off on May 13, and ends on May 24, with the winners broadcast live at the closing ceremony on France Télévisions in France and by Brut internationally.
    Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 28 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Lapse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lapse. Accessed 4 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on lapse

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