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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of lapse
Katherine Faulders,
ABC News,
22 June 2026
And there's a certain time lapse involved in buying fractional shares.
—
Alex Crippen,
CNBC,
19 June 2026
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
24 June 2026
Deadline reported that without a project close to pre-production in the next six months, Universal's Lego rights could lapse and head back to market.
—
Jack Smart,
PEOPLE,
23 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for lapse
Noun
Pulte's appointment led to the lapse of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act -- which allows the federal government to collect communications of foreigners abroad without a warrant.
—
Katherine Faulders,
ABC News,
22 June 2026
And there's a certain time lapse involved in buying fractional shares.
—
Alex Crippen,
CNBC,
19 June 2026
Verb
Congress is struggling to reauthorize this key government surveillance law that has not lapsed before in history.
—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
24 June 2026
Deadline reported that without a project close to pre-production in the next six months, Universal's Lego rights could lapse and head back to market.
—
Jack Smart,
PEOPLE,
23 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for lapse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lapse
Noun
-
The Colorado Supreme Court on Monday delivered a major setback to ballot measures aimed at handing Democrats as many of seven of Colorado's eight Congressional seats.
-
The rulings marked another setback for Democrats in a nationwide redistricting battle that could affect control of Congress.
Noun
-
That ended his day after five innings of one-run ball, with just one mistake — a slider that Manny Machado clobbered for a solo homer — against him.
-
Will this turn into a tragic mistake Daemon soon regrets?
Noun
-
Freight rates rose rapidly in May as carriers added more fuel surcharges and general rate increases amid the war in Iran and near-cessation of traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
-
Now its people should rise up and demand a cessation of cruelty that threatens to paint another stain of shame on the legacy of this great nation.
Verb
-
Unlike the federal tax credits that expired in September, these incentives offer an instant discount and don’t require buyers to apply for credit later.
-
After that agreement expires, the government and Estrada may extend that on an annual basis.
Noun
-
Suffering a reversal of fortune, Watson Taylor turned out to be unable to pay for the commission and sold the work in 1821 through Phillips auction house.
-
The market experienced a reversal session, with AI leaders and data center infrastructure buildout stocks falling while software and the hyperscalers rebounded.
Noun
-
Third baseman Ryan McMahon also committed a throwing error, New York's 19th in its last 14 games.
-
England is hoping karma is on its side after a famous goal-scoring error sealed a World Cup loss to Argentina 40 years ago at Azteca Stadium.
Noun
-
Gulf primary bond issuance came to an abrupt halt in the wake of the conflict, with corporate and sovereign bond yields jumping as geopolitical tensions escalated.
-
Wrangling my emotions became the difference between sputtering to a halt and moving forward.
Verb
-
Soon after then-President Nicolás Maduro was captured by the US in January, Venezuela ended Cuba’s long-standing medical mission in the country, cutting off a key resource in underserved communities.
-
Kirby gave up a one-out double to Josh Lowe in the fifth but struck out the side — including Neto — to end the inning.
Cite this Entry
“Lapse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lapse. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
