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
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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
Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025
The Hamilton Manufacturing Company’s regulations for keepers, for example, show that they were also expected to manage the conduct of their residents, report any misbehavior or lapses in church attendance, and maintain the yards and sidewalks of their houses.
—The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 2 Apr. 2025
Douglas Gillison, USA TODAY, 3 Mar. 2025
An online check of those states’ records say his Georgia license lapsed in 2011 and Virginia license expired in 2003.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 7 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lapse
Noun
One of those lapses led to a false start penalty during practice.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025
The Hamilton Manufacturing Company’s regulations for keepers, for example, show that they were also expected to manage the conduct of their residents, report any misbehavior or lapses in church attendance, and maintain the yards and sidewalks of their houses.
—The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 2 Apr. 2025
Verb
Deadlines have not yet lapsed for three of those companies — Block, American Honda Finance Corporation and the money transfer business Wise, which were together ordered to pay $85.8 million — to submit redress payment plans, also raising doubts as to whether the CFPB will be able to approve them.
—Douglas Gillison, USA TODAY, 3 Mar. 2025
An online check of those states’ records say his Georgia license lapsed in 2011 and Virginia license expired in 2003.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 7 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lapse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lapse
Noun
-
Caliente – real name Bianca Castro -had in recent days suffered a serious health setback which included the loss of her right leg.—
Caroline Frost,
Deadline,
27 Apr. 2025
-
The Two-Way Justice Department Issues Scathing Report On Baltimore Police Department There have been setbacks in Sandtown, too.—
Sarah Handel,
NPR,
26 Apr. 2025
Noun
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There have been expensive product mistakes and lots of trial and error with brushes, clips, hair dryers….—
Liz Krieger,
Allure,
15 Apr. 2025
-
Such mistakes have been made by many administrations over decades.—
Nicole Foy,
ProPublica,
14 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Most of these disruptions begin to normalize soon after alcohol cessation.—
Jesse Pines,
Forbes.com,
21 Apr. 2025
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The other story is that of the abrupt cessation of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ program for the resettlement of migrants and refugees, announced in a Washington Post opinion piece this past Monday, by Archbishop Timothy Broglio, the current president of the conference.—
Paul Elie,
New Yorker,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
All gift cards for fast-fashion retailer Forever 21, which filed for bankruptcy, are set to expire this week.—
Rebecca Morin,
USA Today,
14 Apr. 2025
-
Another put option, with a strike price of $260 and expiring on March 21, 2025, could have been bought for $1.89 on January 15, when Tesla closed at $428.22, and sold for $40.80 on March 10, when Tesla traded at $222.15, yielding a return of 2,059%.—
Korok Ray,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
In a stunning reversal, that gargantuan mammal had caught me.—
Nina E. Cerfolio,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 2025
-
In a major reversal, the federal government is restoring the records of hundreds, and possibly thousands, of international students whose entries in a crucial database the government had abruptly terminated in recent weeks, a move that had complicated their ability to stay in the country.—
Adrian Florido,
NPR,
25 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Graham Pauley singled and advanced to third when a fielder’s choice turned into a throwing error on Bohm.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
20 Apr. 2025
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Kyren Paris reached on an error by Matt Chapman at third, with Chapman cutting in front of Adames with the ball bounding into the outfield to bring Neto home with the second run.—
Jerry McDonald,
Mercury News,
19 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The Celtics outscored it 30-18 as the Magic’s offense ground to a halt.—
Josh Robbins,
New York Times,
24 Apr. 2025
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Vehicles on every road in Israel come to a halt and drivers emerge from their cars or trucks to stand at attention.—
Rabbi Steve Roth,
Sun Sentinel,
23 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Lawmakers can typically override a governor’s veto with another vote on the bill if the legislation receives two-thirds support from each chamber, though the Idaho Legislature ended this year’s regular legislative session early this month.—
Alex Brizee,
Idaho Statesman,
15 Apr. 2025
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The 2023 revival debuted at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., as part of its Broadway Center Stage series, then had a 24-week run on Broadway that ended just over a year ago.—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
14 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lapse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lapse. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
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