1
as in mistake
a socially improper or unsuitable act or remark
you can expect to make some amusing gaffs until you get more familiar with the language
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in blunder
an unintentional departure from truth or accuracy
double-check the new writer's grammar, as it's typically riddled with gaffs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to trick
to cause to believe what is untrue
a sleazy schemer who gaffed gullible people into thinking they could get rich with a money-making opportunity
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to cheat
to rob by the use of trickery or threats
the operators of the traveling carnival had gaffed patrons with a variety of time-honored ruses
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of gaff
The Week Us, theweek, 28 Apr. 2024
Despite the gaff, Redmaye is still hoping to sneak his son and daughter into the August Wilson Theatre in New York City to see his opening number.
—Dave Quinn, Peoplemag, 13 May 2024
Here are its scariest safety scandals Some fliers are thinking twice as scandals and gaffs pile up
Start Slideshow
The world got an uncomfortable reminder about the need to scrutinize air travel last January when a door plug blew off an Alaska Airlines flight 16,000 feet over Portland, Oregon.
—Maxwell Zeff / Gizmodo, Quartz, 13 Mar. 2024
Monday, the frontman, 73, recalled the gaff, explaining that he was sent a tune written by the legendary folk-rock singer during the heyday of Lewis' band, Huey Lewis and the News, but never acted on it.
—Dave Quinn, Peoplemag, 19 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for gaff 
Noun
Sunday's cartoons - airline safety, teleprompter gaffs, and more
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By The Week US
published April 28, 2024
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Escape your echo chamber.
—The Week Us, theweek, 28 Apr. 2024
Despite the gaff, Redmaye is still hoping to sneak his son and daughter into the August Wilson Theatre in New York City to see his opening number.
—Dave Quinn, Peoplemag, 13 May 2024
Here are its scariest safety scandals Some fliers are thinking twice as scandals and gaffs pile up
Start Slideshow
The world got an uncomfortable reminder about the need to scrutinize air travel last January when a door plug blew off an Alaska Airlines flight 16,000 feet over Portland, Oregon.
—Maxwell Zeff / Gizmodo, Quartz, 13 Mar. 2024
Monday, the frontman, 73, recalled the gaff, explaining that he was sent a tune written by the legendary folk-rock singer during the heyday of Lewis' band, Huey Lewis and the News, but never acted on it.
—Dave Quinn, Peoplemag, 19 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for gaff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gaff
Noun
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Here are five wellness mistakes companies must unlearn to build a stronger workforce in 2025.—
Julian Hayes II,
Forbes,
22 Jan. 2025
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That portrays the Court as an institution that has made historic mistakes on citizenship and need not be trusted as the sole authority on the meaning of the Constitution.—
Jeannie Suk Gersen,
The New Yorker,
22 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The blunders were addressed afterward by Rob McIntosh, the chief people officer of Stripe, in a memo to employees shared with CNN.—
John Towfighi,
CNN,
23 Jan. 2025
-
But that was just one of the city’s many policy blunders of that era.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
21 Jan. 2025
Verb
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In his memoir/self-help book Catching the Big Fish, Lynch called out directors who trick actors into a Method performance.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
27 Jan. 2025
-
Cybercriminals set up seemingly legitimate sites that tricked users into downloading malware disguised as harmless software updates.—
Chris Gallagher,
USA TODAY,
25 Jan. 2025
Verb
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In February 1925, Ford cheated the electric chair by twisting up a bed sheet, suspending it from a bar over the door in the cell, and hanging himself.—
Mara Bovsun,
New York Daily News,
26 Jan. 2025
-
In a pair of posts on X Saturday (Jan. 18), Wayne accused the reigning Super Bowl champions — who that day bested the Houston Texans 23-14 — of cheating during games.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
22 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The German hit 12 unforced errors in the set as too many of his forehands skewed off his racket at the wrong angle and out of the court.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN,
26 Jan. 2025
-
Keys broke three times in the first set, helped in part by Sabalenka’s four double-faults and 13 total unforced errors.—
Howard Fendrich,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Don’t be fooled by its cheery name: Happy Face looks haunting.—
Claire Franken,
TVLine,
27 Jan. 2025
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In other words, an attacker would need to fool all or nearly all nodes to remain hidden—which quickly becomes infeasible as more light nodes join.—
Ayush Gupta,
Forbes,
24 Jan. 2025
Verb
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That doesn’t mean the absences to Golden State’s second and third most valuable players haven’t stung.—
Danny Emerman,
The Mercury News,
28 Jan. 2025
-
Misdiagnosed by Dennis as a blithering NPC, Marcie turns out to be the emotional turnkey for the entire movie — even more so than Roman and Rocky’s mom (Lauren Graham), who pops in just long enough to suggest that losing a twin might sting with the same intensity as losing a child.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
24 Jan. 2025
Noun
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And those gaffes are pointed out in front of the whole team, even if they are committed by esteemed leaders.—
Mike Jones,
The Athletic,
25 Jan. 2025
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Other social media users were also concerned about Hegseth’s gaffe.—
Chad de Guzman,
TIME,
15 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Gaff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gaff. Accessed 5 Feb. 2025.
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