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

Obviously there’s been some lapses … So the defense is there minus some spurts. — Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 3 Nov. 2026

Since antiquity, people have known that old age can bring lapses of memory and judgment. — Manvir Singh, New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2026

Many of those daycare centers were allowed to keep operating with high quality ratings, leaving parents with misleading information about lapses in care. — Nedra Rhone, AJC.com, 28 Oct. 2026

Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves are helping the Lakers score at an elite clip, but a loss to Portland Tuesday exposed the team’s defensive lapses. — Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026

There have been new lapses in sharing certain kinds of intelligence that only the United States can provide. — Michael McFaul, Foreign Affairs, 27 Oct. 2026

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

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