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lapse

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun lapse differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of lapse are blunder, error, mistake, and slip. While all these words mean "a departure from what is true, right, or proper," lapse stresses forgetfulness, weakness, or inattention as a cause.

a lapse in judgment

When might blunder be a better fit than lapse?

While in some cases nearly identical to lapse, blunder regularly imputes stupidity or ignorance as a cause and connotes some degree of blame.

diplomatic blunders

Where would error be a reasonable alternative to lapse?

Although the words error and lapse have much in common, error suggests the existence of a standard or guide and a straying from the right course through failure to make effective use of this.

procedural errors

In what contexts can mistake take the place of lapse?

In some situations, the words mistake and lapse are roughly equivalent. However, mistake implies misconception or inadvertence and usually expresses less criticism than error.

dialed the wrong number by mistake

When can slip be used instead of lapse?

The words slip and lapse can be used in similar contexts, but slip stresses inadvertence or accident and applies especially to trivial but embarrassing mistakes.

a slip of the tongue

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
Noun
Play the game without these extraordinary lapses in which runs aren’t scored for innings, days. Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 July 2025 But, in a rare defensive lapse at his new position, Betts spiked a throw to first that Freddie Freeman couldn’t corral. Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2025
Verb
The reasoning extends to assert that even without explicit congressional approval, funds could be allowed to lapse at year’s end in a manner mimicking a pocket veto of legislation. Doug Criscitello, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025 While that period lapsed about a week ago, Paramount has yet to issue new guidance about its expectations. Brian Steinberg, Variety, 8 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for lapse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lapse
Noun
  • Donald Trump suffered a legal setback Thursday after a federal judge ruled against his administration's efforts to end Temporary Protected Status for tens of thousands of migrants.
    Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Aug. 2025
  • Beneath the surface, both are grappling with personal wounds, career setbacks and lingering tensions between them.
    Anna Marie de la Fuente, Variety, 31 July 2025
Noun
  • Chisholm getting thrown out on the bases might be the most egregious of the team’s mental mistakes this season.
    Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2025
  • Development Tomorrow One of the most common mistakes in evaluating new markets is focusing solely on what’s already built.
    Mkhitar Hayrapetyan, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • The cessation of fighting between 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. is to allow humanitarian aid to reach the three areas.
    Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 July 2025
  • Notwithstanding some confusion over the precise timing of the cease-fire that has put a halt to the twelve-day war in the Middle East over Iran’s nuclear program, the cessation of hostilities seems to be holding.
    The Editors, National Review, 24 June 2025
Verb
  • The settlement remained until June 24, 1968, when the Department of the Interior forced residents out because their permit to use park land had expired.
    Leo Bertucci, The Courier-Journal, 2 Aug. 2025
  • The settlement expired in May, but NIJC has argued in court filings and hearings that it should be extended.
    Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 2 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • The license revocations had marked a broader policy reversal, as Washington responded to what officials described as Nicolás Maduro’s failure to uphold commitments tied to democratic reforms and migration cooperation.
    Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 30 July 2025
  • Coenraads served as research director for seven years and demonstrated the first global reversal of symptoms in preclinical models in 2007.
    Maggie McGrath, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025
Noun
  • 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
  • The point is that in those cases, the players’ unions had the power to bring the whole sport to a halt.
    Nick Miller, New York Times, 29 July 2025
  • For businesses, this means operations don’t come to a halt.
    Kwabena Osei-Sarpong, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025
Verb
  • Then Duran, who woke up at 3 a.m. in Minneapolis to catch a flight to Philadelphia on Friday, ended his day with a four-pitch save — all splinkers — for a 5-4 win against the Detroit Tigers.
    Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2025
  • Peter Nelson – 7:54 AM | 36 After just five years, Microsoft will end support for low-cost Windows 11 SE Windows 11 SE was made for school laptop fleets where ChromeOS has made inroads.
    Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 2 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Lapse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lapse. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.

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