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
Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
Congress is taking this shutdown pretty easy compared to other recent funding lapses.
—Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 24 Oct. 2025
The daytime heist of eight French crown jewels worth millions shocked the world and sparked criticism over the museum's lapses in security.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
The director of the Louvre in Paris took the hot seat on Wednesday, answering questions from lawmakers amid mounting criticism over apparent security lapses that enabled thieves to pull off Sunday's brazen daylight heist of more than $100 million in jewels from the museum's ornate Apollo Gallery.
—Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2025
The Revolution suffered from lapses throughout the season, though an experienced tactician could get the players back on track.
—Julian Cardillo, Boston Herald, 21 Oct. 2025
In still other situations, lapses in common knowledge can incapacitate people who really, really need to work together.
—Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2025
So, too, the hold Catholicism has on him, still (with intermittent lapses).
—Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 14 Oct. 2025
Certainly not in the form of Thursday’s loss, when avoidable mental lapses, defensive breakdowns and turnovers cost the Red Wings two early points against a divisional (and possible wild card) rival.
—Max Bultman, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
Noun
Enzo Fernández’s influence in midfield has grown as Chelsea seeks to control matches with possession and tempo, though their defensive lapses remain a concern against quick counterattacks.
—Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
Congress is taking this shutdown pretty easy compared to other recent funding lapses.
—Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 24 Oct. 2025
The daytime heist of eight French crown jewels worth millions shocked the world and sparked criticism over the museum's lapses in security.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
The director of the Louvre in Paris took the hot seat on Wednesday, answering questions from lawmakers amid mounting criticism over apparent security lapses that enabled thieves to pull off Sunday's brazen daylight heist of more than $100 million in jewels from the museum's ornate Apollo Gallery.
—Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2025
The Revolution suffered from lapses throughout the season, though an experienced tactician could get the players back on track.
—Julian Cardillo, Boston Herald, 21 Oct. 2025
In still other situations, lapses in common knowledge can incapacitate people who really, really need to work together.
—Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2025
So, too, the hold Catholicism has on him, still (with intermittent lapses).
—Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 14 Oct. 2025
Certainly not in the form of Thursday’s loss, when avoidable mental lapses, defensive breakdowns and turnovers cost the Red Wings two early points against a divisional (and possible wild card) rival.
—Max Bultman, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lapses
Noun
-
The Blue Jays have also had to adjust their starting rotation on the fly as some harsh setbacks sprung up toward the end of the regular season.—
Peter Chawaga,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Early on, each test had generally improved upon previous demonstrations until SpaceX hit some setbacks at the beginning of 2025 with a series of three failed tests ending in explosions.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The hitters can extend at-bats or, in the case of Guerrero and veteran George Springer, detonate mistakes.—
Andy McCullough,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Assisting guests to create memorable experiences through the years means Ali has also seen his fair share of requests that shed light on some of the biggest travel mistakes.—
Kristin Braswell,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Oct. 2025
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 licenses will be valid for up to one year unless the applicant’s visa expires sooner.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
26 Oct. 2025
-
Extra financial help with premiums - in the form of enhanced tax credits - expires in December, and rates are going up.—
NPR,
NPR,
26 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Scientists have a clear understanding of when these reversals have occurred over time.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
23 Oct. 2025
-
In fact, every apparent breakdown has turned into a bear trap, sparking powerful reversals in the opposite direction.—
Frank Cappelleri,
CNBC,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Though Boston dealt with defensive issues, leading the league with 116 errors, the team clearly has a bright future.—
Shaun McAvoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
-
The Wolverines then made three consecutive hitting errors, essentially putting the set out of reach.—
Lou Ponsi,
Oc Register,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The first death happens when the heart stops beating and the brain stops working.—
Meagan Jordan,
Rolling Stone,
23 Oct. 2025
-
The film has played HorrorHound, Cinema Scares and Bloody Mirror, with more festival stops on deck.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Most of those came on reverses or other wide runs.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
22 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lapses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lapses. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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