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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
At the time, Stevenson apologized for the mental lapse. Sean Hammond, Chicago Tribune, 5 June 2025 Now that was a lapse in judgment The cars got new front wings, but there's only one story that matters. Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 4 June 2025
Verb
Regulators also say Meta's privacy protections have lapsed as a result of its alleged monopoly status. Bobby Allyn, NPR, 13 Apr. 2025 Musk stepped down from his role advising the commission at the end of May, as his status as a special government employee lapsed. Elizabeth Crisp, The Hill, 18 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for lapse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lapse
Noun
  • Senate Republicans hit a major setback in their race to pass a massive tax and spending package on Thursday, as a chamber official ruled against a key provision to get the conference on board to vote for the plan by week's end.
    Claudia Grisales, NPR, 26 June 2025
  • The ruling is a major setback for Republican leadership, who are under pressure to expeditiously move it to the Senate floor to meet Trump's Fourth of July deadline for passage.
    Allison Pecorin, ABC News, 26 June 2025
Noun
  • Here are the five hidden profile mistakes that stop your ideal clients getting in touch.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
  • Jumping onto Andrew Cuomo’s leaky ship was a devastating mistake for the pro-Israel movement.
    David Weigel, semafor.com, 27 June 2025
Noun
  • Israel must halt its aggression, and absent a total cessation of military aggression against us, our responses will continue.
    Siladitya Ray, Forbes.com, 22 June 2025
  • This cessation would have come immediately after these raids were getting started in earnest.
    The Editors, National Review, 17 June 2025
Verb
  • Messi left at the end of that season, his contract allowed to expire, while Neymar also departed.
    Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 28 June 2025
  • The Trump administration in April froze most of its tariffs for 90 days to allow time for negotiations, with that pause due to expire on July 9.
    Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 27 June 2025
Noun
  • The policy represents a reversal for Fannie and Freddie, the two entities under government conservatorship that guarantee more than half of America’s mortgages.
    Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 25 June 2025
  • Trump and his party have made the rollback of LGBTQ rights a nationwide priority, and more encroachments—perhaps even the reversal of Obergefell—appear to be on conservatives’ radar.
    Emma Sarappo, The Atlantic, 25 June 2025
Noun
  • With very little margin for error, any misstep could lead to a steep correction.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • De Vries has also committed 15 errors at shortstop.
    Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 June 2025
Noun
  • Loyalty is hard to maintain when authenticity falters and innovation halts.
    Paul Fitzgerald, Rolling Stone, 23 June 2025
  • The Tatum injury sent Boston’s dynastic rise into a screeching halt.
    Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 23 June 2025
Verb
  • After a logistical snafu ends their initial meeting about Agnes’ thesis, Decker makes the casual suggestion that the makeup session be at his house near campus.
    Paul A. Thompson, Pitchfork, 27 June 2025
  • Episodes ended by dangling game rules and character deaths, beguiling us to keep watching.
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 27 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

More from Merriam-Webster on lapse

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