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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Kiké Hernández and Teoscar Hernández made run-scoring defensive blunders in the outfield.—
Jack Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
28 June 2025
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Whereas the Pacers had their lowest giveaway total of the championship round in Game 6, OKC had its highest turnover game of the playoffs, with 23 blunders leading to 32 Indiana points.—
Rohan Nadkarni,
NBC news,
20 June 2025
Noun
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Read on for some of the most common nutrition mistakes sports dietitians see that wreak havoc on people’s workouts—plus what to do instead.—
Jenny McCoy,
SELF,
9 July 2025
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Investors who do not use the tool risk making major mistakes.—
Steve Denning,
Forbes.com,
9 July 2025
Noun
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High-profile cases have shown that spreadsheet errors can cost companies millions.—
Aleksandra Bal,
Forbes.com,
13 July 2025
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Unforced error after unforced error plagued the team.—
Emma Moon,
Charlotte Observer,
13 July 2025
Noun
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His indiscretion with Kim had everything to do with him and nothing to do with Christopher.—
Andy Swift,
TVLine,
3 Apr. 2025
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The longtime lawman has been accused of personal indiscretions such as receiving a nude photo of a co-worker, and professional missteps including his deputies’ aggressive actions in pursuing shoplifters at a Target and killing their driver.—
Cristóbal Reyes,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 June 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 19 Jul. 2025.
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