1
as in setbacks
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 mistakes
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 cessations
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 expires
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 lapses
Aaron Segal, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2026
The inspection report documented a series of safety lapses found during Acquisition Logistics’ tenure.
—ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026
Led by Lewandowski’s experience and finishing ability, Poland bring a physical and balanced approach, capable of exploiting defensive lapses while remaining organized at the back.
—Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
Palmer didn't provide a number, but says PHL has lost some workers due to the funding lapses as well.
—Dan Snyder, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
Top officials at agencies under the DHS umbrella spoke for more than three-hours before the House Homeland Security Committee about the potential risks of security lapses unless the partial government shutdown comes to an end.
—Lisa Mascaro, Arkansas Online, 26 Mar. 2026
Top officials at agencies under the DHS umbrella spoke for more than three-hours before the House Homeland Security Committee about the potential risks of security lapses unless the partial government shutdown comes to an end.
—Kevin Freking, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026
Top officials at agencies under the Homeland Security umbrella spoke for more than three hours before the House Homeland Security Committee about the potential risks of security lapses unless the partial government shutdown comes to an end.
—Lisa Mascaro, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2026
During an appeal last year of his indictment by a Haitian investigative judge, Badio accused Haiti’s judicial police of missing security lapses in the president’s detail.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 24 Mar. 2026
Frank Witsil, Freep.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Noun
The Tigers’ ability to shoot and score kept them in games, but defensive lapses and depth issues, particularly in SEC play, limited their ceiling.
—Aaron Segal, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2026
The inspection report documented a series of safety lapses found during Acquisition Logistics’ tenure.
—ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026
Led by Lewandowski’s experience and finishing ability, Poland bring a physical and balanced approach, capable of exploiting defensive lapses while remaining organized at the back.
—Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
Palmer didn't provide a number, but says PHL has lost some workers due to the funding lapses as well.
—Dan Snyder, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
Top officials at agencies under the DHS umbrella spoke for more than three-hours before the House Homeland Security Committee about the potential risks of security lapses unless the partial government shutdown comes to an end.
—Lisa Mascaro, Arkansas Online, 26 Mar. 2026
Top officials at agencies under the DHS umbrella spoke for more than three-hours before the House Homeland Security Committee about the potential risks of security lapses unless the partial government shutdown comes to an end.
—Kevin Freking, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026
Top officials at agencies under the Homeland Security umbrella spoke for more than three hours before the House Homeland Security Committee about the potential risks of security lapses unless the partial government shutdown comes to an end.
—Lisa Mascaro, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2026
During an appeal last year of his indictment by a Haitian investigative judge, Badio accused Haiti’s judicial police of missing security lapses in the president’s detail.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 24 Mar. 2026
Verb
That could — when the policy lapses ― expose taxpayers to additional risk.
—Frank Witsil, Freep.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lapses
Noun
-
Of those seven losses, setbacks against Dallas and Chicago (while both were still trying to win) and Milwaukee could at least be rationalized.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Despite these very public setbacks, the U-2 became a hidden success story and a major player during the Cold War.—
David Szondy
March 29,
New Atlas,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Critical, independent and common-sense thinking was essential to deal with our evolution, to include those time when grave mistakes were made and great leaders had to make tough decisions to course-correct.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Notre Dame’s Lachlan Clark made no mistakes other than giving up the home run.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Temporary cessations of hostility, but no permanent closing of the moral and social divide between debtor and creditor, and no giving up on the thought that some lives matter more than others.—
Henry Freedland,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Moran earned an annual base salary of $186,953, and his contract expires June 30.—
Edward Lee,
Baltimore Sun,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Her current status expires at the end of April.—
Mathew Miranda
Updated March 31,
Sacbee.com,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The reversals could have massive implications for the November midterm elections, particularly in competitive congressional districts where small swings could determine control of the House.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Mar. 2026
-
As Ullrich put it, the trend in the labor force participation gap shows no post-recession bounce, no cyclical correction, no historical parallel to prior reversals.—
Catherina Gioino,
Fortune,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The Giants totaled three hits and as many errors.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Fullerton took advantage of three errors to score four runs in the third inning on the way to a 5-2 win over Laguna Hills in an Empire League game Friday at Laguna Hills High.—
Steve Fryer,
Oc Register,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Former leaders warn that the loss of institutional knowledge, combined with halts to the incoming pipeline of public health workers, may lead to a long-term crisis.—
Pien Huang,
NPR,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Automotive industry analysts are forecasting that another microchip shortage could hit in the coming months, which could increase risks for production halts as costs skyrocket.—
Breana Noble,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Much of physicists’ intuition stops being helpful in an expanding universe.—
Shalma Wegsman,
Quanta Magazine,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The run hits major arenas including Chase Center in San Francisco, United Center in Chicago, TD Garden in Boston and stops across Canada, before closing out at the band’s home turf.—
Jessica Lynch,
Billboard,
29 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lapses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lapses. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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