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

The audit’s conclusions echo several findings of an investigation this year by The Denver Gazette and ProPublica into the Marijuana Enforcement Division’s lapses in policing contaminants entering the legal marketplace. — Christopher Osher, ProPublica, 21 Oct. 2026

Other women rely on cold water, fans, calendar reminders, or breaking projects into smaller tasks to compensate for lapses in concentration. — Jo Ann Liguori, Flow Space, 21 Oct. 2026

Police detained some pavilion organizers, private security personnel and on-duty staff, and launched a probe into any crowd-control and safety lapses. — ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026

Fernández praised his offense Monday and pointed to lapses on the other end, an especially relevant concern after Washington scored 72 first-half points. — C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 13 Oct. 2026

Dozens of people died, and investigators later found severe safety lapses in the pharmacy’s production of sterile drugs. — Alana Semuels, Time, 7 Oct. 2026

Kimmel’s current contract — lasting just one year — lapses following the end of the current TV season in 2027. — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026

The moment is a test for the UAE government, which has burnished a reputation for building effective measures against extremist activities but also has bristled in the past over criticism of security lapses. — Sam Mednick, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026

Willis threw for 210 yards — the third-highest passing output of his career — on the back of lapses in coverage that led to four explosive plays. — Kansas City Star, 27 Sep. 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