1
as in blunder
a socially improper or unsuitable act or remark
committed a huge gaffe when she started drinking from the finger bowl
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of gaffe
However, her most obvious gaffe – fouling Tiffany Hayes down by just three points with 22 seconds remaining and a seven-second difference between game and shot clock – was not her fault.
—
Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 28 June 2025
Maybe Westbrook’s double-overtime gaffe against Minnesota wouldn’t have happened if the Wolves’ shot selection had been better at the end of regulation, or the end of the first overtime.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 12 June 2025
That gaffe remains a major celebrity lowlight on the mound a decade later.
—Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 June 2025
Yang also has a number of gaffes in the blooper reel.
—Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for gaffe
Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 28 June 2025
Maybe Westbrook’s double-overtime gaffe against Minnesota wouldn’t have happened if the Wolves’ shot selection had been better at the end of regulation, or the end of the first overtime.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 12 June 2025
That gaffe remains a major celebrity lowlight on the mound a decade later.
—Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 June 2025
Yang also has a number of gaffes in the blooper reel.
—Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for gaffe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gaffe
Noun
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Its acquisitions in consumer banking were at worst blunders and at best decent deals struck in pursuit of a doomed strategy.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
21 July 2025
-
Consider how McDonald's had to end an experiment with AI drive-thru ordering due to blunders that led to customer frustration and viral videos on social media.—
Rishi Kumar,
Forbes.com,
17 July 2025
Noun
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But when mistakes are punished or hidden, innovation stops in its tracks.—
IESE Business School,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
-
Skull emoji: This emoji is often used to mock someone's mistake or appearance.—
Sherri Gordon,
Parents,
21 July 2025
Noun
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Without a robust knowledge foundation, these early wins can mask serious risks—from compliance breaches to costly decision errors.—
Stéphane Donzé,
Forbes.com,
25 July 2025
-
Pilot error caused the crash, according to a final report from the National Transportation Safety Board.—
Perry Vandell,
AZCentral.com,
25 July 2025
Noun
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For example, there’s a young private in the novel who has committed several indiscretions—one was purchasing a cow impulsively.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
16 July 2025
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Not by distorting the rules to avoid accountability and amplify his power. — Alisa Kaplan, executive director, Reform for Illinois That was quite an embarrassing word salad of an explanation by Illinois Senate President Don Harmon on his campaign fund indiscretions.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
13 July 2025
Noun
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Then Maxwell’s hooks pulled free and Michie was left trying to hold the shark with only the gaff.—
Donald Millus,
Outdoor Life,
3 July 2025
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The pole pulled out of the gaff hook and Maxwell’s friends pulled tight on the rope.—
Donald Millus,
Outdoor Life,
3 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gaffe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gaffe. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.
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