1
as in mistake
a socially improper or unsuitable act or remark
you can expect to make some amusing gaffs until you get more familiar with the language
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in blunder
an unintentional departure from truth or accuracy
double-check the new writer's grammar, as it's typically riddled with gaffs
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to trick
to cause to believe what is untrue
a sleazy schemer who gaffed gullible people into thinking they could get rich with a money-making opportunity
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to cheat
to rob by the use of trickery or threats
the operators of the traveling carnival had gaffed patrons with a variety of time-honored ruses
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of gaff
Maxwell Zeff / Gizmodo, Quartz, 13 Mar. 2024
Monday, the frontman, 73, recalled the gaff, explaining that he was sent a tune written by the legendary folk-rock singer during the heyday of Lewis' band, Huey Lewis and the News, but never acted on it.
—Dave Quinn, Peoplemag, 19 Mar. 2024
But, despite those gaffs, robotics firms pressed on and now several believe their walking machines could work alongside human manufacturing workers in only a few short years.
—Popular Science, 29 Feb. 2024
That starts with careful gaff placement to avoid ruining meat.
—Tom Fowlks, Outdoor Life, 1 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for gaff 
Noun
Here are its scariest safety scandals Some fliers are thinking twice as scandals and gaffs pile up
Start Slideshow
The world got an uncomfortable reminder about the need to scrutinize air travel last January when a door plug blew off an Alaska Airlines flight 16,000 feet over Portland, Oregon.
—Maxwell Zeff / Gizmodo, Quartz, 13 Mar. 2024
Monday, the frontman, 73, recalled the gaff, explaining that he was sent a tune written by the legendary folk-rock singer during the heyday of Lewis' band, Huey Lewis and the News, but never acted on it.
—Dave Quinn, Peoplemag, 19 Mar. 2024
But, despite those gaffs, robotics firms pressed on and now several believe their walking machines could work alongside human manufacturing workers in only a few short years.
—Popular Science, 29 Feb. 2024
That starts with careful gaff placement to avoid ruining meat.
—Tom Fowlks, Outdoor Life, 1 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for gaff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gaff
Noun
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Structured processes like those in the military, Pixar, and Google demonstrate how providing psychological safety and encouraging honest feedback can lead to learning from mistakes and continuous improvement.—
Thomas Bostick,
Forbes,
10 Jan. 2025
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Then there were lesson plans, radon measurements, lead tests, plumbing and fire safety checks, and blueprints, each done according to very specific requirements where any mistakes would set them back months more.—
ProPublica,
ProPublica,
10 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The blunder occurred during the triple toss-up round on Thursday, January 16.—
Aaron Rasmussen,
Newsweek,
17 Jan. 2025
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Scientists have long known that DNA-copying systems make the occasional blunder—that’s how cancers often start—but only in recent years has technology been sensitive enough to catalog every genetic booboo.—
Amber Dance,
Smithsonian Magazine,
17 Jan. 2025
Verb
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What began as an amusing alter ego created to trick a boss has now become a legitimate presence on credit reports, background checks and even tenant records, admitted original poster (OP) Cweev10 on Reddit this week.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
18 Jan. 2025
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Elon Musk can try to trick gamers, to argue with them, to post their DMs against his own Terms of Service.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes,
17 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Caregivers may be tempted to let kids win or even cheat to avoid meltdowns and tantrums.—
Stephanie Ganz,
Parents,
8 Jan. 2025
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Most significantly, with three other dangerous Bears weapons spread to the right, safety Xavier Woods began cheating in that direction before the play began.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Jan. 2025
Noun
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There’s very little room for error if growth does not accelerate in the coming years.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes,
14 Jan. 2025
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Sponsor assumes no responsibility for any error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operation or transmission, communication line failure, theft, or destruction or unauthorized access to, or alteration of the Media.—
USA TODAY,
USA TODAY,
14 Jan. 2025
Verb
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However, others have questioned how she was so easily fooled.—
Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell,
Newsweek,
16 Jan. 2025
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The attackers disguise themselves as fake Google Ads login pages to fool advertisers, who are then phished for their account credentials.—
Davey Winder,
Forbes,
16 Jan. 2025
Verb
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One day later Miami would kick off its plans for 2025 right by landing former Georgia starting quarterback Carson Beck in the transfer portal (more on that in a bit), but, still, this Orange Bowl had to sting Cristobal over all that might have been.—
Greg Cote,
Miami Herald,
10 Jan. 2025
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That loss hurt, of course, and losing the Super Bowl this time around would sting, too.—
Vahe Gregorian,
Kansas City Star,
6 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The night’s most embarrassing gaffe was when Jodie Foster won for True Detective: Night Country.—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
6 Jan. 2025
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Trump won the election, and the era of Biden gaffes will come to an end at noon on Jan. 20.—
Haisten Willis,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
25 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Gaff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gaff. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
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