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 lapses allowed the attackers to successfully perform a BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) hijacking to obtain control over IP addresses assigned to Softaculous. — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 2 Sep. 2026

Nobody remembers on the Tuesday in March when a supervisor's registration lapses, and that is exactly the version of this that actually happens. — Jp Montoya, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026

Some organizations believe they’re owed hundreds of thousands to more than a million dollars for unpaid services due to lengthy lapses in Medicaid coverage. — Danielle J. Brown, Baltimore Sun, 1 Sep. 2026

Experts say that occasional, minor lapses—misplacing items, forgetting a word, or losing your train of thought—are a normal part of the aging process. — Danielle Zickl, HEALTH, 31 Aug. 2026

Some boos and whistles could be heard from the crowd, tired of seeing Miami’s defensive lapses. — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 30 Aug. 2026

Here are the lapses in planning and execution Coburn’s reporting uncovered — and some of the consequences of those mistakes. — ProPublica, 26 Aug. 2026

At their worst, defensive secondary lapses and occasional offensive lulls kept opponents in games longer than necessary. — David Troy Outkick, FOXNews.com, 22 Aug. 2026

Deadly fires, often linked to electrical faults or gas cylinder explosions, are common in India where investigators have frequently pointed to safety lapses and inadequate enforcement of fire regulations as contributing to recurring loss of life. — ABC News, 19 Aug. 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