1
as in setbacks
a change in status for the worse usually temporarily
the scandal caused the president to suffer a dramatic lapse in popularity
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in mistakes
an unintentional departure from truth or accuracy
his slip of the tongue about the mayor's name was an unfortunate lapse
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in cessations
the stopping of a process or activity
wasn't bothered by the lapse of her membership at the health club
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in expires
to come to an end
the contract will lapse at the end of the year unless we renew
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lapses
Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2026
Sure, these things are going to happen, but the Penguins can’t have 10-minute lapses without Sidney Crosby.
—Josh Yohe, New York Times, 4 Mar. 2026
The incident comes just weeks after use of a laser system near El Paso led to confusion and exposed communication lapses among several US agencies.
—Pete Muntean, CNN Money, 27 Feb. 2026
Existing research on referral lapses supported their experience.
—IEEE Spectrum, 26 Feb. 2026
The Knicks had lapses on both ends in their 109-94 loss to the Cavaliers at the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on Tuesday.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 25 Feb. 2026
Those defensive lapses negated strong games from post Matas Vokietaitis (22 points, 8-10 shooting) and wing Dailyn Swain (21 points, 6-of-11 shooting).
—Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 21 Feb. 2026
Their two biggest offseason moves should help cut down on their defensive lapses.
—Damian Calhoun, Daily News, 21 Feb. 2026
The abrupt withdrawal of Microsoft's co-founder dealt a fresh blow to a flagship event already marred by organizational lapses, a robot row and complaints of traffic chaos.
—Reuters, NBC news, 20 Feb. 2026
Frank Witsil, Freep.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Noun
After getting benched for his defensive lapses last season, Hayes has impressed coaches with his consistent ability to stay vertical while protecting the rim.
—Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2026
Sure, these things are going to happen, but the Penguins can’t have 10-minute lapses without Sidney Crosby.
—Josh Yohe, New York Times, 4 Mar. 2026
The incident comes just weeks after use of a laser system near El Paso led to confusion and exposed communication lapses among several US agencies.
—Pete Muntean, CNN Money, 27 Feb. 2026
Existing research on referral lapses supported their experience.
—IEEE Spectrum, 26 Feb. 2026
The Knicks had lapses on both ends in their 109-94 loss to the Cavaliers at the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on Tuesday.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 25 Feb. 2026
Those defensive lapses negated strong games from post Matas Vokietaitis (22 points, 8-10 shooting) and wing Dailyn Swain (21 points, 6-of-11 shooting).
—Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 21 Feb. 2026
Their two biggest offseason moves should help cut down on their defensive lapses.
—Damian Calhoun, Daily News, 21 Feb. 2026
The abrupt withdrawal of Microsoft's co-founder dealt a fresh blow to a flagship event already marred by organizational lapses, a robot row and complaints of traffic chaos.
—Reuters, NBC news, 20 Feb. 2026
Verb
That could — when the policy lapses ― expose taxpayers to additional risk.
—Frank Witsil, Freep.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lapses
Noun
-
So too is a work ethic peers often describe as relentless, paired with a preternatural optimism that keeps him pushing through setbacks.—
Douglas Robson,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
-
There was no shortage of setbacks for stocks last week.—
Morgan Chittum,
CNBC,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Last week, Bay Hill punished mistakes with force.—
Jenny Catlin,
New York Times,
12 Mar. 2026
-
However, before planting your favorite blooms in these vessels, there are a few common mistakes to be aware of.—
Alexandra Kelly,
Martha Stewart,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Temporary cessations of hostility, but no permanent closing of the moral and social divide between debtor and creditor, and no giving up on the thought that some lives matter more than others.—
Henry Freedland,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The county and the Housing Commission previously entered into a similar 10-year agreement, which expires in 2026.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Malkin, whose contract expires after this season, was visibly miffed when discussing the situation after Saturday’s loss to the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden.—
Josh Yohe,
New York Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The reversals highlights how the world’s biggest energy-importing region is being particularly hard hit by the war in the Middle East and the lack of access to oil and fuel from the Persian Gulf.—
Nicholas Lua,
Bloomberg,
9 Mar. 2026
-
The last time Newcastle succumbed to three straight top-flight reversals at home was under Steve Bruce in January-February 2021, but Tyneside dependability has been undermined by their defensive issues, with only Wolves (30) and West Ham (27) conceding more on their own turf.—
Chris Waugh,
New York Times,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
No man’s land Remarkably, all of this has been happening in a regulatory vacuum and with technology that is known to make errors.—
Parmy Olson,
Mercury News,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Documents released since December have included redaction errors, leaked victim identities, and ongoing complaints of mishandling by department officials.—
Alanna Durkin Richer,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The abrupt disruption resulted in chip shortages and production halts at several automakers.—
Sarah Jacob,
Bloomberg,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Conflict in Yemen has prompted air traffic halts — leaving about 600 tourists stranded on a remote island.—
Ashley J. DiMella,
FOXNews.com,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
This creates a temporary, dynamic obstacle that slows other molecules or stops them from moving through.—
Yasemin Saplakoglu,
Quanta Magazine,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Also, back home, Lip Smacking now offers a foodie tour in San Jose – at Santana Row – which stops at four of the center’s top restaurants.—
Jim Harrington,
Mercury News,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lapses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lapses. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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