Synonyms of lapses

lapses 1 of 2

noun

plural of lapse

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

• setbacks
• reversals
• reverses
• reversions
• declines
• disappointments
• knocks
• frustrations
• falls
• breakdowns
• relapses
• letdowns
• downs
• regressions
• turnarounds
• collapses
• ruins
• downfalls
• recessions
• turnabouts
• comedowns
• retrogressions
• crashes
• meltdowns
• descents
• undoings

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• status quos

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

• mistakes
• errors
• blunders
• miscues
• inaccuracies
• fumbles
• missteps
• flubs
• stumbles
• trips
• faults
• gaffes
• oversights
• slipups
• screwups
• goofs
• gaffs
• bobbles
• bricks
• clangers
• slips
• fluffs
• boobs
• clinkers
• boo-boos
• pratfalls
• bloopers
• snafus
• misunderstandings
• howlers
• misjudgments
• misstatements
• miscalculations
• misinterpretations
• misreadings
• misconceptions
• foul-ups
• boners
• misconstructions
• bloomers
• misapprehensions
• misimpressions
• misdescriptions
• miscomprehensions

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• accuracies
• precisions
• exactitudes
• perfections
• infallibilities
• inerrancies

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

• cessations
• halts
• endings
• conclusions
• ends
• shutdowns
• stoppages
• closures
• closes
• discontinuances
• discontinuations
• arrests
• stops
• ceases
• offsets
• terminations
• stays
• expirations
• finishes
• shutoffs
• checks
• cutoffs
• pauses
• closedowns
• interruptions
• suspensions
• arrestments
• surceases
• phaseouts
• standstills
• layoffs
• breaks
• mop-ups
• moratoriums
• abeyances
• letups

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• continuations
• continuances
• extensions
• prolongations
• persistences

lapses

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of lapse

as in expires

to come to an end

the contract will lapse at the end of the year unless we renew

Synonyms & Similar Words

• expires
• stops
• ends
• ceases
• halts
• concludes
• passes
• dies
• finishes
• elapses
• terminates
• breaks off
• closes
• goes
• winds up
• leaves off
• determines
• stalls
• breaks up
• discontinues
• winks (out)
• dead-ends
• lets up
• quits
• pauses
• bites the dust
• suspends
• breaks down
• stays
• packs (up or in)
• refrains (from)
• cuts out
• lays off (of)
• gives over
• knocks off
• desists (from)
• abates
• winds down
• conks (out)
• peters (out)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• continues
• persists
• hangs on
• extends
• prolongs
• draws out
• protracts

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of lapses

Noun

Construction accidents are not uncommon in India, where rapid infrastructure growth often collides with fragile geology, construction lapses, extreme weather and safety standards. — ABC News, 21 July 2026

Clear communication about who is responsible for supervision can prevent these lapses. — Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 18 July 2026

The idea is that airport security operations can remain unaffected by funding lapses and government shutdowns, while still maintaining strict federal oversight and regulations. — Joey Skladany, Travel + Leisure, 15 July 2026

Jordan Smith Councilors rejected a symbolic demand for reforms at the Indy office that targets the root causes of violent crime, after a recent audit found oversight lapses and potential conflicts of interest while the spending rose. — Jordan Smith, IndyStar, 9 July 2026

Defensive lapses proved costly and once again, the Americans relied heavily on Christian Pulisic to provide moments of inspiration. — Clemente Lisi, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026

Directed by brothers Drew and Eric Dowdle, who capably remade REC (2007) as Quarantine (2008), The Poughkeepsie Tapes makes up for its occasional lapses in realism with its utterly disturbing portrayal of pure evil. — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 7 July 2026

Countless turnovers and defensive lapses were seized on by the Belgians, who needed only nine minutes to take a 1-0 lead. — Becky Sullivan, NPR, 6 July 2026

Earlier this year, Oakland closed two shelters in part because of lapses in state funding. — Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 29 June 2026

Verb

Is gas still moving through the Tabriz-Ankara corridor at material volumes in mid-July, after the contract lapses? — Güney Yıldız, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026

That could — when the policy lapses ― expose taxpayers to additional risk. — Frank Witsil, Freep.com, 13 Feb. 2026