1
as in blunder
a socially improper or unsuitable act or remark
committed a huge gaffe when she started drinking from the finger bowl
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in mistake
an unintentional departure from truth or accuracy
so-called debates, which seemed to be mainly about seeing which candidate made the most gaffes
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 gaffe
The Kamala Harris gaffe that floored even her own advisor.
—
FOXNews.com, 4 Apr. 2025
The ballot gaffe has created political fodder for candidates who are running for Skokie clerk, including Desai, who is running after she was appointed clerk in 2024.
—Richard Requena, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2025
Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek's network of contributors
Some Wheel of Fortune gaffes are simply more cringe-worthy than others.
—Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Mar. 2025
Read more Adrien Brody gives powerful Oscar speech after Best Actor win
The worst Super Bowl ads of 2025
Hulu's Oscars gaffe, email error sparks anger
During the ceremony, Oscars host Conan O'Brien poked fun at the Dune star's outfit color choice.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gaffe
FOXNews.com, 4 Apr. 2025
The ballot gaffe has created political fodder for candidates who are running for Skokie clerk, including Desai, who is running after she was appointed clerk in 2024.
—Richard Requena, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2025
Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek's network of contributors
Some Wheel of Fortune gaffes are simply more cringe-worthy than others.
—Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Mar. 2025
Read more Adrien Brody gives powerful Oscar speech after Best Actor win
The worst Super Bowl ads of 2025
Hulu's Oscars gaffe, email error sparks anger
During the ceremony, Oscars host Conan O'Brien poked fun at the Dune star's outfit color choice.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gaffe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gaffe
Noun
-
The lawyer, author and consulting firm CEO has spent more than 30 years counseling people through their biggest blunders and controversies, from former president George H. W. Bush to Fortune 500 CEOs and professional athletes.—
Ashton Jackson,
CNBC,
8 Apr. 2025
-
Russell Westbrook bounced back from his decisive blunder against Minnesota by scoring a season-high 30 points and adding 11 rebounds, six assists and three steals.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
3 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
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
-
In the last two decades, five helicopters on commercial sightseeing flights have crashed into the Hudson and East rivers due to mechanical failures, pilot errors, or collisions, resulting in 20 fatalities.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Apr. 2025
-
In the last two decades, five helicopters on commercial sightseeing flights have fallen into the Hudson and East rivers as a result of mechanical failures, pilot errors or collisions, killing 20 people.—
Jake Offenhartz,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Smith lightened the level of the indiscretion, which goes deeper in Molnar’s version.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
23 Mar. 2025
-
Ford hoped his suddenly patriotic electorate would forget about the province’s struggling hospitals and colleges, its bonkers traffic, and the indiscretions that have marked his tenure, including a real-estate scandal that is the subject of an ongoing criminal investigation.—
Chris Jones,
The Atlantic,
14 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Transport boxes, electronic scales and gaffs, sharp blades that can be attached to roosters' legs during fights, were found on the property, the news statement said.—
Kerry Breen,
CBS News,
15 Feb. 2025
-
Anglers need both an angling license and a recreational turtle license to harvest turtles using angling gear like hook and line, landing nets and gaff hooks.—
Kay Johnson,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gaffe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gaffe. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share