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
Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 28 May 2026
Sheriff Gregory Tony wanted to respond to a critical study by the Jensen Hughes consulting firm that found stunning communication lapses between the county’s airport division and the sheriff’s office.
—Steve Bousquet, Sun Sentinel, 23 May 2026
Given Meta’s history of privacy lapses and data grabs, there are plenty of reasons not to install WhatsApp.
—Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 22 May 2026
But, in the round of sixteen, the Dutch had seized on several defensive lapses from the American side, winning three goals to one.
—Leander Schaerlaeckens, New Yorker, 22 May 2026
While there were some rookie mistakes and lapses to learn from — and a lot of defensive work to be done — the Ducks showed a lot of promise earlier than expected.
—Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 20 May 2026
The instability has left hundreds of thousands unable to plan for the future, and with months-long lapses in legal status.
—Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 19 May 2026
At an April 16 hearing, TSA Deputy Administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill suggested privatizing TSA screenings to avoid future funding lapses and widespread travel disruptions.
—Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 18 May 2026
During rare lapses, Gilgeous-Alexander has stayed stoic.
—Mark Medina, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026
Frank Witsil, Freep.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Noun
But the Canes have had their lapses.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 28 May 2026
Sheriff Gregory Tony wanted to respond to a critical study by the Jensen Hughes consulting firm that found stunning communication lapses between the county’s airport division and the sheriff’s office.
—Steve Bousquet, Sun Sentinel, 23 May 2026
Given Meta’s history of privacy lapses and data grabs, there are plenty of reasons not to install WhatsApp.
—Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 22 May 2026
But, in the round of sixteen, the Dutch had seized on several defensive lapses from the American side, winning three goals to one.
—Leander Schaerlaeckens, New Yorker, 22 May 2026
While there were some rookie mistakes and lapses to learn from — and a lot of defensive work to be done — the Ducks showed a lot of promise earlier than expected.
—Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 20 May 2026
The instability has left hundreds of thousands unable to plan for the future, and with months-long lapses in legal status.
—Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 19 May 2026
At an April 16 hearing, TSA Deputy Administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill suggested privatizing TSA screenings to avoid future funding lapses and widespread travel disruptions.
—Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 18 May 2026
During rare lapses, Gilgeous-Alexander has stayed stoic.
—Mark Medina, Forbes.com, 17 May 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
-
Putin has increasingly faced setbacks on the battlefield as a Ukrainian drone strike campaign disrupts critical logistics routes and public support at home wanes.—
Jane Lytvynenko,
NBC news,
6 June 2026
-
One of the most frightening setbacks came when Asher developed an MRSA bloodstream infection that originated in his port — the device connected to his heart that allows doctors to administer treatment.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
5 June 2026
Noun
-
The agents weren’t focused on the early mistakes made in the case, however.—
Julie K. Brown,
Miami Herald,
4 June 2026
-
Bass acknowledged her mistakes during the campaign, said Gonzalez, a former head of the county Democratic Party.—
David Zahniser,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 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
-
State law requires a special election the following November to elect a successor to complete the rest of Klobuchar’s current six-year term, which expires in 2030.—
Alex Derosier,
Twin Cities,
30 May 2026
-
With club captain Dani Carvajal leaving as his contract expires, Madrid will lose their captain for the sixth season in a row — following the exits of Ramos (2021), Marcelo (2022), Karim Benzema (2023) Nacho (2024, when Toni Kroos left, too) and Luka Modric (2025, when Lucas Vazquez also departed).—
Guillermo Rai,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
For 50 years, the case has generated theories and verdicts and reversals and books and television specials.—
Kate Casey,
Vanity Fair,
2 June 2026
-
The reversals, recoveries, and successes often receive far less coverage.—
Ingmar Rentzhog,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
Noun
-
The Nationals have made more errors than anyone else in baseball.—
Danielle Allentuck,
Washington Post,
6 June 2026
-
She was also hurt by three early errors.—
Rick Armstrong,
Chicago Tribune,
6 June 2026
Noun
-
In practice the printer ran for about 3 months (including setup and halts), whereas a traditional cast bridge might have taken 3–4 times longer.—
Srishti Gupta,
Interesting Engineering,
16 May 2026
-
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
Verb
-
Your success stops feeling hollow.—
Chris Schembra,
Rolling Stone,
8 June 2026
-
There is no single treatment that stops the allergic march in its tracks, but there are ways to slow its progress.—
Dr. Daniel DiGiacomo,
Boston Herald,
7 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lapses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lapses. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
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