1
as in blunder
a socially improper or unsuitable act or remark
committed a huge gaffe when she started drinking from the finger bowl
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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
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Recent Examples of gaffe
However, her most obvious gaffe – fouling Tiffany Hayes down by just three points with 22 seconds remaining and a seven-second difference between game and shot clock – was not her fault.
—
Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 28 June 2025
Maybe Westbrook’s double-overtime gaffe against Minnesota wouldn’t have happened if the Wolves’ shot selection had been better at the end of regulation, or the end of the first overtime.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 12 June 2025
That gaffe remains a major celebrity lowlight on the mound a decade later.
—Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 June 2025
Yang also has a number of gaffes in the blooper reel.
—Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for gaffe
Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 28 June 2025
Maybe Westbrook’s double-overtime gaffe against Minnesota wouldn’t have happened if the Wolves’ shot selection had been better at the end of regulation, or the end of the first overtime.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 12 June 2025
That gaffe remains a major celebrity lowlight on the mound a decade later.
—Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 June 2025
Yang also has a number of gaffes in the blooper reel.
—Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for gaffe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gaffe
Noun
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What happened to Josh Friedman isn’t just an HR blunder.—
Chloe Rogers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 July 2025
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Letting Tommy Kahnle, a reliable arm, walk has turned out to be a massive blunder.—
Zach Pressnell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 July 2025
Noun
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Skull emoji: This emoji is often used to mock someone's mistake or appearance.—
Sherri Gordon,
Parents,
21 July 2025
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But when mistakes are punished or hidden, innovation stops in its tracks.—
IESE Business School,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
Noun
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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
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Pilot error caused the crash, according to a final report from the National Transportation Safety Board.—
Perry Vandell,
AZCentral.com,
25 July 2025
Noun
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For example, there’s a young private in the novel who has committed several indiscretions—one was purchasing a cow impulsively.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
16 July 2025
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Not by distorting the rules to avoid accountability and amplify his power. — Alisa Kaplan, executive director, Reform for Illinois That was quite an embarrassing word salad of an explanation by Illinois Senate President Don Harmon on his campaign fund indiscretions.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
13 July 2025
Noun
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The pole pulled out of the gaff hook and Maxwell’s friends pulled tight on the rope.—
Donald Millus,
Outdoor Life,
3 July 2025
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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
Cite this Entry
“Gaffe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gaffe. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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