lapse 1 of 2

1
2
3

lapse

2 of 2

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
Ricardo Arroyo and Kendra Lara became the first incumbents to lose a primary in roughly four decades, after their own lapses, in September 2023. Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 5 May 2025 The Celtics did not have many lapses like that on their march to a title last season. Jay King, New York Times, 13 May 2025
Verb
Had my accent lapsed so much that divine intervention was required? Shauna Lyon, New Yorker, 9 May 2025 Such translations were paused earlier this month when the weather service’s contract with the AI company that provided them lapsed. Jade Walker, CNN Money, 25 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lapse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lapse
Noun
  • Zelenskyy said the setbacks for the Kremlin would help force it to the negotiating table, even as its pursues a summer offensive on the battlefield.
    Mehmet Guzel, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2025
  • Zelensky said the setbacks for the Kremlin would help force it to the negotiating table, even as its pursues a summer offensive on the battlefield.
    Mehmet Guzel, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2025
Noun
  • Choosing smoothies low in protein and fiber, adding sugary ingredients to your smoothie, and using low-calorie smoothies as meal replacements are just some of the smoothie mistakes that could be sabotaging your weight loss efforts.
    Jillian Kubala, Health, 3 June 2025
  • Unai Simon had made a really bad mistake and Enrique was consoling him after the game.
    The Totally Football Show, New York Times, 2 June 2025
Noun
  • Those cessations in breathing are what constitutes apnea.
    Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 19 May 2025
  • In multiple rounds of diplomacy in 2014 and 2015, after Russia’s takeover of Crimea and incursion into Ukraine’s Donbas region, France and Germany expended more effort on a cosmetic cessation of hostilities than on solving the underlying problems of regional security.
    Liana Fix, Foreign Affairs, 1 May 2025
Verb
  • According to court documents, the employee fraudulently created a new medical marijuana card for herself after her card obtained in 2023 expired, KELO reported.
    Kate Linderman, Kansas City Star, 3 June 2025
  • Most of the tax rates and breaks enacted in 2017 during President Donald Trump’s first term expire at the end of this year, and the bill would continue them.
    David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 3 June 2025
Noun
  • Finally, Elon Musk’s DOGE activities brought its own host of circuit tests that generated smoke and reversals.
    Bruce Yandle, Boston Herald, 1 June 2025
  • Various studies have documented a decline in productivity in the building sector since 1970 – a dramatic reversal from the prior 30 years.
    Ryan Craig, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
Noun
  • Only one major-league third baseman, the San Diego Padres’ Manny Machado, has more errors than Muncy’s eight through his first 49 games of the season.
    Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 27 May 2025
  • The poll of 1,136 Democrats carries a margin of error of plus or minus 2.89 percentage points.
    Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 May 2025
Noun
  • That was after the pandemic lockdown brought concerts — and much of the world — shuddering to a halt in 2020 and much of 2021 (and before the COVID resurgence that followed).
    George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 May 2025
  • Finding that the 1977 law Trump invoked to impose his sweeping tariffs does not actually give him the power to do so, the court ordered a permanent halt to the duties and barred any future modifications.
    Josephine Rozzelle, CNBC, 29 May 2025
Verb
  • The health impacts of being exposed to air pollution from wildfires can last for months, even after a fire has ended, according to a new analysis.
    Jamie Hailstone, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
  • Parks and Recreation ended more than a decade ago, but its seven seasons left behind countless meme formats to be recycled in perpetuity.
    Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 3 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lapse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lapse. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on lapse

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!