as in mistake
a socially improper or unsuitable act or remark
according to an oft-told story, the queen set a guest at ease about a faux pas by politely imitating it
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of faux pas
Long are the days when baring your bra or undies out in public are considered a fashion faux pas.
—
Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 13 Jan. 2026
Never make a charcuterie faux pas again.
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Jan. 2026
As for their own travel hot takes, Blyth has a strong stance about a certain airport faux pas.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026
There were also some humbling defeats, including when Maresca made the faux pas of saying going out of the FA Cup to Brighton could turn out to be a positive.
—Simon Johnson, New York Times, 1 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for faux pas
Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 13 Jan. 2026
Never make a charcuterie faux pas again.
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Jan. 2026
As for their own travel hot takes, Blyth has a strong stance about a certain airport faux pas.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026
There were also some humbling defeats, including when Maresca made the faux pas of saying going out of the FA Cup to Brighton could turn out to be a positive.
—Simon Johnson, New York Times, 1 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for faux pas
Recent Examples of Synonyms for faux pas
Noun
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How many times after making a mistake does Romero ignore tactical instructions and charge up the pitch in desperation to score a goal or wipe out an opponent?—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
8 Feb. 2026
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Having accurate numbers, maintaining receipts and keeping financial books in order will make tax time easier, reduce the likelihood of being audited for a mistake and save as much money as possible.—
Jasmin Suknanan,
CNBC,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
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An Italian Winter Olympics broadcaster who was on the mic for the opening ceremony before the Milan Cortina Games began last week faced immense backlash and a strike call for numerous blunders during the show.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
10 Feb. 2026
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With a regulation win in their sights, the Sabres allowed the score-tying goal with 26 seconds left in regulation and then made a defensive blunder in overtime to allow Jake Guentzel a clean breakaway for the game-winning goal.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The lawyers had requested that the Justice Department website be temporarily shut down and that an independent monitor be appointed to ensure no further errors occurred.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
5 Feb. 2026
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This story has been updated with new information, to reframe parts of the story and to correct spelling errors.—
Steve Patterson,
Florida Times-Union,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Faux pas.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/faux%20pas. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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