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
ABC News,
2 July 2026
Investigations of the outbreaks that followed pinned them on shortages of protective equipment, lapses in hand hygiene and overcrowded units.
—
John Drake,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2026
Earlier this year, Oakland closed two shelters in part because of lapses in state funding.
—
Grant Stringer,
Mercury News,
29 June 2026
Underdog sides have generally attempted to build up methodically with the ball, but any lapses of concentration have been ruthlessly punished by attackers who press hard and counter-attack quickly.
—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
28 June 2026
Hillary Li, counsel with the Justice Action Center, filed the lawsuit on behalf of East Bay Sanctuary Covenant and the Immigration Institute of the Bay Area, both of which serve DACA recipients who have faced delays and status lapses as clients.
—
Nicole Acevedo,
NBC news,
26 June 2026
Advocates worry the change could mean lapses in communication for families and school officials who need help.
—
Annie Ma,
Chicago Tribune,
16 June 2026
What happens if my work authorization lapses?
—
Monica Rodriguez-Aguilera,
New York Daily News,
15 June 2026
The Brennan Center's Goitein said the law makes clear that the program's existing certifications and directives remain in force until their expiration date, regardless of whether Section 702 lapses.
—
Caitlin Yilek,
CBS News,
12 June 2026
Güney Yıldız,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2026
That could — when the policy lapses ― expose taxpayers to additional risk.
—
Frank Witsil,
Freep.com,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
Attorney General Raúl Torrez said the circumstances were tied to lapses in decision-making and oversight at the Children, Youth and Families Department.
—
ABC News,
2 July 2026
Investigations of the outbreaks that followed pinned them on shortages of protective equipment, lapses in hand hygiene and overcrowded units.
—
John Drake,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2026
Earlier this year, Oakland closed two shelters in part because of lapses in state funding.
—
Grant Stringer,
Mercury News,
29 June 2026
Underdog sides have generally attempted to build up methodically with the ball, but any lapses of concentration have been ruthlessly punished by attackers who press hard and counter-attack quickly.
—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
28 June 2026
Hillary Li, counsel with the Justice Action Center, filed the lawsuit on behalf of East Bay Sanctuary Covenant and the Immigration Institute of the Bay Area, both of which serve DACA recipients who have faced delays and status lapses as clients.
—
Nicole Acevedo,
NBC news,
26 June 2026
Advocates worry the change could mean lapses in communication for families and school officials who need help.
—
Annie Ma,
Chicago Tribune,
16 June 2026
What happens if my work authorization lapses?
—
Monica Rodriguez-Aguilera,
New York Daily News,
15 June 2026
The Brennan Center's Goitein said the law makes clear that the program's existing certifications and directives remain in force until their expiration date, regardless of whether Section 702 lapses.
—
Caitlin Yilek,
CBS News,
12 June 2026
Verb
Is gas still moving through the Tabriz-Ankara corridor at material volumes in mid-July, after the contract lapses?
—
Güney Yıldız,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2026
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
-
The fair has already seen a series of setbacks that include cancellations from artists on the lineup, sparse crowds, electricity issues and even melted ice cream.
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But for many of the organization’s other pitching prospects in recent seasons, injury setbacks have been especially difficult to overcome.
Noun
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Acknowledging and even criticizing our mistakes of the past doesn’t cheapen one’s love for the United States.
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You are allowed to make three mistakes but fail a fourth time and the game ends with the answers being revealed.
Noun
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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.
Verb
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The Newsom administration and California’s largest labor representative of state workers failed to reach an agreement on Tuesday to replace a contract that expires June 30, SEIU Local 1000’s chief negotiator said in an interview.
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Patients stay there for a few days to a week at a time, often until their involuntary commitment expires.
Noun
-
Short dramas are about big emotions and dramatic reversals; the heroes and villains are generally clearly delineated.
-
For more on Lilly granting access of its drug to one person, go here; to read more on M&A, go here; to learn more about the hair loss drug, go here; and for more on the FDA’s reversals, go here and here.
Noun
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Tigers rookies Hao-Yu Lee and Kevin McGonigle drove in two runs apiece after errors by third baseman José Caballero and left fielder Cody Bellinger.
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The Giants used three infield hits and two errors to score a pair of runs against Sale in the sixth inning, then Matt Chapman’s double set up Luis Arraez’s sacrifice fly in the seventh.
Noun
-
The automatic stay halts proceedings but doesn't compel creditors to undo pre-petition filings without operative effect.
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Since prolonged production halts can cause permanent damage to oil wells, shutting them down is typically a last resort.
Verb
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Santorini stops being only a view and starts behaving like a place again.
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Workforce needs, customer expectations, and business conditions evolve, and leaders have to be willing to adjust if the model stops delivering results.
Cite this Entry
“Lapses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lapses. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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