1
as in setback
a change in status for the worse usually temporarily
the scandal caused the president to suffer a dramatic lapse in popularity
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in mistake
an unintentional departure from truth or accuracy
his slip of the tongue about the mayor's name was an unfortunate lapse
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in cessation
the stopping of a process or activity
wasn't bothered by the lapse of her membership at the health club
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to expire
to come to an end
the contract will lapse at the end of the year unless we renew
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lapse
Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 6 Feb. 2026
An embarrassing photograph was a lapse in judgment In a 2004 article in the magazine Harper’s Bazaar, Newsom appeared in a photo shoot with his then-wife, Kimberly Guilfoyle, in a photo that became somewhat infamous in California political circles.
—Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 5 Feb. 2026
Nik Popli, Time, 2 Feb. 2026
The House is not returning until Monday, ensuring funding will lapse for parts of the government, at least temporarily.
—Meg Kinnard, Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lapse
Noun
Outside of immigration enforcement, there are concerns about what a long-term lapse in funding for the Department of Homeland Security would mean for other agencies.
—Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 6 Feb. 2026
An embarrassing photograph was a lapse in judgment In a 2004 article in the magazine Harper’s Bazaar, Newsom appeared in a photo shoot with his then-wife, Kimberly Guilfoyle, in a photo that became somewhat infamous in California political circles.
—Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 5 Feb. 2026
Verb
The Senate passed the bipartisan package on Friday evening, but funding for several major agencies lapsed early Saturday morning when the House failed to act, triggering a partial shutdown that has furloughed workers and forced others to work without pay.
—Nik Popli, Time, 2 Feb. 2026
The House is not returning until Monday, ensuring funding will lapse for parts of the government, at least temporarily.
—Meg Kinnard, Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lapse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lapse
Noun
-
Diggins said the setback did little to dampen her confidence.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
7 Feb. 2026
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But Mandac used those setbacks as motivation, taking some new knowledge away from each defeat.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Feb. 2026
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
-
As my colleagues in public health have stated recently in the Journal of the American Medical Association, nicotine pouches can be an effective smoking cessation tool.—
Timothy Vermillion,
New York Daily News,
3 Feb. 2026
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Yet despite that, research into what happens during this natural cessation of menstruation and why is limited.—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The vote on Tuesday sought to extend previous language that blocked tariff repeal resolutions from getting a vote, which expired at the end of January.—
Rachel Schilke,
The Washington Examiner,
11 Feb. 2026
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Last year’s sweeping tax bill introduced requirements that could kick thousands off of SNAP benefits, while expiring healthcare subsidies are leading to more expensive premiums for health insurance.—
Luis Melecio-Zambrano,
Mercury News,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Lyft launched Lyft Teen on Monday, a feature that allows 13- to 17-year-olds to hail rides on the app, a reversal of the company’s policy requiring adult supervision for minors.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
9 Feb. 2026
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And former President Joe Biden made naloxone, an opioid overdose reversal medication, available over the counter.—
Kyle Werner,
Des Moines Register,
9 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
-
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
Noun
-
This marked the end of the strike, which brought the San Francisco Unified School District to a halt for the first time in over 45 years.—
Noe Padilla,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
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Doja Cat‘s South African homecoming may have been brought to a halt when Hey Neighbour festival canceled its 2025 staging, but the Grammy winner will finally get to visit her motherland this spring.—
Kyle Denis,
Billboard,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Now a rather similar squad is tasked with ending the title drought.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
11 Feb. 2026
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Connor also ended things with Emma after telling her about his strong connection with Bri.—
Sydney Bucksbaum,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lapse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lapse. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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