1
as in blunders
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 mistakes
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 tricks
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 stings
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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of gaffs
Timia Cobb, Dallas Morning News, 7 Apr. 2026
Cockfighting draws scrutiny, too, with homes searched for steroids or gaffs — the sharp blades that get strapped to a fighting rooster’s feet.
—Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Dec. 2025
Noun
Spurs on some of the chickens were cut excessively short to fit steel fighting gaffs and blades for more lethal fighting, deputies said.
—Timia Cobb, Dallas Morning News, 7 Apr. 2026
Cockfighting draws scrutiny, too, with homes searched for steroids or gaffs — the sharp blades that get strapped to a fighting rooster’s feet.
—Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gaffs
Noun
-
The Royals made two critical such blunders in a 7-1 loss to the Boston Red Sox at Kauffman Stadium.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
20 May 2026
-
Delinquent financing, lawsuits, project delays, construction blunders and defects, evidence that some workers were forced to live in an East Bay warehouse, allegations of slave labor, and a death haunted the property while Z&L owned it.—
George Avalos,
Mercury News,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
In the report, the auditor general points out multiple concerning examples of mistakes in those summaries that could have a direct and negative impact on a patient’s subsequent care.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
14 May 2026
-
Sandwiched between those mistakes was a diving grab on a sinking line drive by Gorman in the sixth.—
Chris Biderman,
Sacbee.com,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
One possible danger is a rogue network that tricks people into joining.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
22 Apr. 2026
-
San Diego startup Neomorph on Monday announced a new $100 million investment for its molecular glue that tricks cancer cells into self-destructing.—
Noelle Harff,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
And Jaden McDaniels was right, which stings even more.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
1 May 2026
-
Nothing stings more than seeing a shipping fee tacked on top of an order that was already a splurge.—
Hannah Chubb,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
There were glitches and gaffes aplenty.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
6 May 2026
-
No major gaffes to leave any of the contestants sprawled on the killing floor.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Its document generation tools guide founders through complex legal processes step by step, reducing errors and ensuring completeness.—
AllBusiness,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
-
Two incidents in January involved reversing errors, including backing into a wooden utility pole and hitting a curb while parking.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
What fools these non-OpenAI mortals must be.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Five average players committed to protecting the middle of the ice are more effective than four great ones and one who cheats for offence.—
Murat Ates,
New York Times,
8 May 2026
-
The top-two primary system also cheats voters by pushing all candidates onto one primary ballot.—
John Seiler,
Oc Register,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gaffs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gaffs. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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