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lapse

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun lapse differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of lapse are blunder, error, mistake, and slip. While all these words mean "a departure from what is true, right, or proper," lapse stresses forgetfulness, weakness, or inattention as a cause.

a lapse in judgment

When might blunder be a better fit than lapse?

While in some cases nearly identical to lapse, blunder regularly imputes stupidity or ignorance as a cause and connotes some degree of blame.

diplomatic blunders

Where would error be a reasonable alternative to lapse?

Although the words error and lapse have much in common, error suggests the existence of a standard or guide and a straying from the right course through failure to make effective use of this.

procedural errors

In what contexts can mistake take the place of lapse?

In some situations, the words mistake and lapse are roughly equivalent. However, mistake implies misconception or inadvertence and usually expresses less criticism than error.

dialed the wrong number by mistake

When can slip be used instead of lapse?

The words slip and lapse can be used in similar contexts, but slip stresses inadvertence or accident and applies especially to trivial but embarrassing mistakes.

a slip of the tongue

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of lapse
Noun
Workers in pain may suffer lapses in concentration and focus, or require more time off work for medical reasons. John Graham Harper, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025 While not inherently dangerous, their presence in food products indicates potential lapses in hygiene during production. Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
Verb
The fine will not lapse and Ms. Gibson will be pursued by the relevant agencies. Julia Bonavita, Fox News, 9 Mar. 2025 The opportunity to spin Disney’s black-and-white cartoon from 1928 into a bloody creature feature set on the Staten Island Ferry came when the IP rights lapsed. Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 27 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lapse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lapse
Noun
  • Caliente – real name Bianca Castro -had in recent days suffered a serious health setback which included the loss of her right leg.
    Caroline Frost, Deadline, 27 Apr. 2025
  • The Two-Way Justice Department Issues Scathing Report On Baltimore Police Department There have been setbacks in Sandtown, too.
    Sarah Handel, NPR, 26 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Justice Department lawyers contend FBI agents acted in good faith despite the mistake and shouldn't be second-guessed by the courts.
    Bart Jansen, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Maybe everything that follows is a cascade of mistakes stemming from this decision.
    Keith Phipps, Vulture, 28 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Some frontline positions may be in the middle of fierce clashes when this order comes through, and a cessation of this nature likely requires days of preparation and readiness.
    Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 19 Apr. 2025
  • According to a report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies, if China’s trade controls result in a cessation of such exports, the U.S. won’t be able to fill the gap — and this could threaten Washington’s military capabilities.
    Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 16 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • England international Trent Alexander-Arnold is set to leave under freedom of contract once his deal expires in the summer, but Liverpool will have the opportunity to strengthen the weaker areas of their squad while maintaining stability and already having title-winning foundations in place.
    Andy Jones, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
  • Zhao was on a student visa in Australia, which expired in April 2020, according to reports.
    Escher Walcott, People.com, 28 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • In a major reversal, the federal government is restoring the records of hundreds, and possibly thousands, of international students whose entries in a crucial database the government had abruptly terminated in recent weeks, a move that had complicated their ability to stay in the country.
    Adrian Florido, NPR, 25 Apr. 2025
  • In a stunning reversal, that gargantuan mammal had caught me.
    Nina E. Cerfolio, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The law only allows schools to recognize changes made to birth certificates that were made to correct a clerical error.
    Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 2 May 2025
  • Last month, the Campaign Finance Board denied Cuomo’s request for nearly $3 million in public matching funds due to paperwork errors.
    Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 2 May 2025
Noun
  • But America's oldest-running distillery ground to a halt last month amid historic and deadly flooding, when Buffalo Trace master distiller Harlen Wheatley says the nearby Kentucky River rose to over 48 feet.
    Nicole Sganga, CBS News, 3 May 2025
  • Operations to release public records requests largely ground to a halt, according to half a dozen current or former employees.
    Rachana Pradhan, CNN Money, 2 May 2025
Verb
  • Major automakers want Congress to bar California's landmark plan to end the sale of gasoline-only vehicles by 2035 that has been adopted by 11 other states, warning the rules could begin impacting vehicle shipments in a few months.
    David Shepardson, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025
  • The festival kicks off on May 13, and ends on May 24, with the winners broadcast live at the closing ceremony on France Télévisions in France and by Brut internationally.
    Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 28 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Lapse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lapse. Accessed 11 May. 2025.

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