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
Frank Digiacomo, HollywoodReporter, 8 May 2026
Orlando trailed Miami 3-0 early, plagued by the same defensive lapses that have defined its season so far.
—Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 May 2026
Despite some lapses, the Buffalo Sabres played to their speedy, up-tempo attacking identity in winning Game 1 against Montreal.
—ABC News, 7 May 2026
Porter, 52, said that voters should look at her record fighting corporate interests and forgive some of her past lapses, as when she was caught on video berating an aide.
—James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2026
It’s clearly established that the team is built for offence, and defensive lapses are part of the team structure.
—Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026
Despite his late-game defensive lapses, Vucevic played arguably his best game of the series, finishing with 11 points, six rebounds, four assists and three blocks.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 25 Apr. 2026
The president has had a run of recent setbacks, with security lapses chief among them.
—Gonzalo Soto, Bloomberg, 24 Apr. 2026
Meanwhile, smarter baserunning and fewer defensive lapses might lead to bigger innings.
—Kansas City Star, 23 Apr. 2026
Frank Witsil, Freep.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Noun
Gawker, which shut down 10 years ago this August, was guilty of lapses in judgment — former staffers interviewed for this story admit as much.
—Frank Digiacomo, HollywoodReporter, 8 May 2026
Orlando trailed Miami 3-0 early, plagued by the same defensive lapses that have defined its season so far.
—Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 May 2026
Despite some lapses, the Buffalo Sabres played to their speedy, up-tempo attacking identity in winning Game 1 against Montreal.
—ABC News, 7 May 2026
Porter, 52, said that voters should look at her record fighting corporate interests and forgive some of her past lapses, as when she was caught on video berating an aide.
—James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2026
It’s clearly established that the team is built for offence, and defensive lapses are part of the team structure.
—Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026
Despite his late-game defensive lapses, Vucevic played arguably his best game of the series, finishing with 11 points, six rebounds, four assists and three blocks.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 25 Apr. 2026
The president has had a run of recent setbacks, with security lapses chief among them.
—Gonzalo Soto, Bloomberg, 24 Apr. 2026
Meanwhile, smarter baserunning and fewer defensive lapses might lead to bigger innings.
—Kansas City Star, 23 Apr. 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
-
Markets have soared and oil prices have dropped over the last week, however, amid anticipation that a deal could be close after weeks of talks and occasional setbacks.—
Peter Nicholas,
NBC news,
10 May 2026
-
Following the local election setbacks, the Prime Minister has faced calls to resign or to set a timetable to vacate his leadership position, including from members of his own Labour Party.—
Chandelis Duster,
NPR,
10 May 2026
Noun
-
Find the groups without making four mistakes.—
Mark Cooper,
New York Times,
7 May 2026
-
Lahren opened the discussion by contrasting today’s climate with the past, noting that traditional PR cleanup has been replaced by a mass horde looking to end lives over minor mistakes.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
6 May 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
-
That expires in 2028, with the end of his term, and will add $91 billion to the deficit.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
8 May 2026
-
When time expires, the highest bidder wins and checkout happens automatically.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
What followed was a series of appeals and reversals that kept Rose on (and off) death row for nearly 50 years.—
Rafael Olmeda,
Sun Sentinel,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The Supreme Court upheld the reversals, and the three men later pleaded to voluntary manslaughter counts — resulting in them being paroled — under an agreement that required them to admit to being responsible for Tyree’s death in open court.—
Robert Salonga,
Mercury News,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The set was an emotional roller coaster with four deuces and eight service errors by the Highlanders.—
Justin Vigil Zuniga,
Daily News,
10 May 2026
-
Hawai’i scored in bunches, while unforced errors hurt Long Beach.—
Haley Sawyer,
Oc Register,
10 May 2026
Noun
-
Former leaders warn that the loss of institutional knowledge, combined with halts to the incoming pipeline of public health workers, may lead to a long-term crisis.—
Pien Huang,
NPR,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Automotive industry analysts are forecasting that another microchip shortage could hit in the coming months, which could increase risks for production halts as costs skyrocket.—
Breana Noble,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
When the game stops, it will be called on account of darkness.—
Jill Lepore,
New Yorker,
12 May 2026
-
Many guests are juggling packed itineraries—pyramid visits, museum stops, Nile cruise transfers—and the staff are well practiced at coordinating drivers, guides, and early departures.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lapses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lapses. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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