1
as in blunder
a socially improper or unsuitable act or remark
committed a huge gaffe when she started drinking from the finger bowl
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in mistake
an unintentional departure from truth or accuracy
so-called debates, which seemed to be mainly about seeing which candidate made the most gaffes
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of gaffe
Now up 20-12, the Eagles profited from a Commanders gaffe on the ensuing kickoff.
—
Kevin Dotson, CNN, 26 Jan. 2025
Every word was policy, or signaled a shift in policy, or revealed a secret, or was a gaffe that could cause an international incident or domestic political turmoil.
—Al Pessin, Sun Sentinel, 21 Jan. 2025
The gaffe hinted at how the next few hours would play out.
—Zak Keefer, The Athletic, 19 Jan. 2025
Other Redditors chimed in on the spelling mistake, sharing their thoughts on the unusual gaffe.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gaffe
Kevin Dotson, CNN, 26 Jan. 2025
Every word was policy, or signaled a shift in policy, or revealed a secret, or was a gaffe that could cause an international incident or domestic political turmoil.
—Al Pessin, Sun Sentinel, 21 Jan. 2025
The gaffe hinted at how the next few hours would play out.
—Zak Keefer, The Athletic, 19 Jan. 2025
Other Redditors chimed in on the spelling mistake, sharing their thoughts on the unusual gaffe.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gaffe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gaffe
Noun
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Still, many in Kenya condemned the talks as a political blunder by President William Ruto, and called on him to reverse course.—
Declan Walsh,
New York Times,
23 Feb. 2025
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The verdict came after a blunder by Miami-Dade state prosecutors, who felt the need to apologize to jurors for not identifying a purse on the couch next to where Knighton was sitting in Blount’s apartment when she was shot.—
Charles Rabin,
Miami Herald,
18 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Expert instructors will teach you how to get started, practical uses, tips for effective prompt-writing, and mistakes to avoid.—
Kamaron McNair,
CNBC,
15 Feb. 2025
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Misunderstandings or mistakes, however, could spell catastrophe.—
Alfredo Sosa,
The Christian Science Monitor,
14 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Yet, as Attanasio continues to clamp down on spending, his team’s margin for error keeps shrinking.—
Ken Rosenthal,
The Athletic,
19 Feb. 2025
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Gibney explores her long career, her occasional errors and her innovative work in diagnosing and understanding multiple personality disorder.—
Jason Bailey,
New York Times,
19 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Some follow-up communication, apologizing for his indiscretion, is likely necessary.—
Judith Martin,
The Mercury News,
13 Feb. 2025
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The Pentagon in recent years has taken steps to remedy its past indiscretions against LGBTQ service members.—
Brooke Migdon,
The Hill,
6 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Transport boxes, electronic scales and gaffs, sharp blades that can be attached to roosters' legs during fights, were found on the property, the news statement said.—
Kerry Breen,
CBS News,
15 Feb. 2025
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Anglers need both an angling license and a recreational turtle license to harvest turtles using angling gear like hook and line, landing nets and gaff hooks.—
Kay Johnson,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gaffe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gaffe. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.
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