1
as in blunder
a socially improper or unsuitable act or remark
you can expect to make some amusing gaffs until you get more familiar with the language
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in mistake
an unintentional departure from truth or accuracy
double-check the new writer's grammar, as it's typically riddled with gaffs
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of gaff
Nathaniel Rich, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
During a fight, birds are typically weighted and then short or long knife and gaff weapons are attached to roosters.
SHARK alerted the county during the fight.
—Allana Smith, Freep.com, 7 Aug. 2025
But the gaff is igniting new calls for Hegseth to be ousted, including from House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (N.Y.).
—Ellen Mitchell, The Hill, 10 July 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for gaff
Noun
Crowe leaped from the boat with a fishing gaff and, after several fumbles, managed to flip the trembling, bloodied creature onto the bow deck.
—Nathaniel Rich, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
During a fight, birds are typically weighted and then short or long knife and gaff weapons are attached to roosters.
SHARK alerted the county during the fight.
—Allana Smith, Freep.com, 7 Aug. 2025
But the gaff is igniting new calls for Hegseth to be ousted, including from House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (N.Y.).
—Ellen Mitchell, The Hill, 10 July 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for gaff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gaff
Noun
-
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
-
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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But making a mistake can mean you get hit with an inaccurate tax bill or, worse, an audit.—
Jasmin Suknanan,
CNBC,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Trying to fix a mistake before someone finds out?—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Those kinds of intimate connections — along with their incredible skills, trick shots and fun-loving theatrics — have helped the Globetrotters prevail as a cultural staple for the past century.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
13 Feb. 2026
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Heathcliff has tricked Edgar’s sister, Isabella, into marrying him by pretending to love her.—
Becky Little,
Time,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Over the past year, men’s ski jumping has been marred by Norway’s cheating scandal and more recent genital manipulation rumors, which has become one of the early commotions of the Milano-Cortina Games.—
Sara Germano,
Sportico.com,
8 Feb. 2026
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Among the reasons Belichick was not inducted are his involvement in cheating scandals, such as Spygate and Deflategate, according to ESPN.—
Rohan Nadkarni,
NBC news,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Lett’s inconsequential gaffe overshadowed a defensive performance by the Cowboys that produced a Super Bowl-record nine turnovers.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Feb. 2026
-
The Tigers’ lead certainly would have been larger at that point — when MU led 34-30 — if not for those gaffes.—
The Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
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
Verb
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These ads may not have fooled as many of us as their makers seemed to think.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Feb. 2026
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And don’t let the utilities and their friends fool you.—
Kendall Keelen,
Hartford Courant,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In the days following a second consecutive season without making the playoffs, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, in a walk-off interview with local reporters after the final news conference of the season, admitted that the loss of one player stung significantly.—
Joseph Hoyt,
Dallas Morning News,
11 Feb. 2026
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Steve died in 2006 after being stung by a stingray at the Batt Reef off the coast of Australia.—
Janelle Ash , Larry Fink,
FOXNews.com,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gaff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gaff. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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