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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of gaffe
But the Broncos certainly weren’t apologizing Sunday night for the gift of a gargantuan gaffe.
—
Nick Kosmider, The Athletic, 16 Dec. 2024
At the Tokyo premiere of Wicked on Feb. 19, Ariana Grande faced a slight sartorial gaffe.
—Michelle Lee, People.com, 20 Feb. 2025
Even when the incoming president was first indicted in New York in March 2023, an event that rallied Republican support around his candidacy after a series of gaffes and in a crowded field, more than two-thirds of voters surveyed in one poll believed the prosecution was politically motivated.
—Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
Meanwhile, there have been many articles and books commemorating the milestone; one of the latter made headlines Friday for a publicity gaffe involving Tina Fey and Jon Hamm.
—Judy Berman, TIME, 17 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gaffe
Nick Kosmider, The Athletic, 16 Dec. 2024
At the Tokyo premiere of Wicked on Feb. 19, Ariana Grande faced a slight sartorial gaffe.
—Michelle Lee, People.com, 20 Feb. 2025
Even when the incoming president was first indicted in New York in March 2023, an event that rallied Republican support around his candidacy after a series of gaffes and in a crowded field, more than two-thirds of voters surveyed in one poll believed the prosecution was politically motivated.
—Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
Meanwhile, there have been many articles and books commemorating the milestone; one of the latter made headlines Friday for a publicity gaffe involving Tina Fey and Jon Hamm.
—Judy Berman, TIME, 17 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gaffe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gaffe
Noun
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The blunder occurred while Trump, 78, was speaking with reporters at Joint Base Andrews military facility in Maryland after giving a speech at the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., on Friday, March 14.—
Escher Walcott,
People.com,
15 Mar. 2025
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The longer-term question is how much more patience and grace Trump’s base will grant Bondi, who already bears scars as the central figure in arguably the administration’s earliest blunder.—
David Catanese,
Miami Herald,
14 Mar. 2025
Noun
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A number of Republican and Libertarian figures have since voiced support for Massie on social media, suggesting Trump is making a mistake by attacking the Kentucky lawmaker.—
Faisal Kutty,
Newsweek,
11 Mar. 2025
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Tip #4: Double-check your figures Making a simple math mistake or switching the last two digits of your Social Security Number can cause big problems for the IRS.—
Brian Sloan,
CNBC,
11 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Naturally, the usual delays, misunderstandings and errors in communication are all common when Mercury retrogrades, but when in a sign like Aries, these moments are more likely to be louder, bolder and triggering.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
15 Mar. 2025
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Except that is a simplification of what the original dialogue says, and a localization error with big consequences.—
Rafael Motamayor,
IndieWire,
15 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The world watched in utter shock as Tiger’s pristine image unraveled amid revelations of marital indiscretions.—
Mike Bianchi,
Orlando Sentinel,
8 Mar. 2025
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The military’s strict code of conduct Hegseth’s indiscretions could impede his ability to lead by example, said the chief executive officer of the nation’s largest group of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans.—
Tara Copp,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Jan. 2025
Noun
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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
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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 24 Mar. 2025.
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