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Some common synonyms of lapse<\/em> are blunder<\/em><\/a>, error<\/em><\/a>, mistake<\/em><\/a>, and slip<\/em><\/a>. While all these words mean \"a departure from what is true, right, or proper,\" lapse<\/em> stresses forgetfulness, weakness, or inattention as a cause.<\/p>

\/\/ a lapse<\/em> in judgment<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When might 'blunder' be a better fit than 'lapse'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

While in some cases nearly identical to lapse<\/em>, blunder<\/em><\/a> regularly imputes stupidity or ignorance as a cause and connotes some degree of blame.<\/p>

\/\/ diplomatic blunders<\/em><\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Where would 'error' be a reasonable alternative to 'lapse'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

Although the words error<\/em><\/a> and lapse<\/em> have much in common, error<\/em> suggests the existence of a standard or guide and a straying from the right course through failure to make effective use of this.<\/p>

\/\/ procedural errors<\/em><\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "In what contexts can 'mistake' take the place of 'lapse'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

In some situations, the words mistake<\/em><\/a> and lapse<\/em> are roughly equivalent. However, mistake<\/em> implies misconception or inadvertence and usually expresses less criticism than error<\/em>.<\/p>

\/\/ dialed the wrong number by mistake<\/em><\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When can 'slip' be used instead of 'lapse'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The words slip<\/em><\/a> and lapse<\/em> can be used in similar contexts, but slip<\/em> stresses inadvertence or accident and applies especially to trivial but embarrassing mistakes.<\/p>

\/\/ a slip<\/em> of the tongue<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How does the noun 'lapse' differ from other similar words?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

Some common synonyms of lapse<\/em> are blunder<\/em><\/a>, error<\/em><\/a>, mistake<\/em><\/a>, and slip<\/em><\/a>. While all these words mean \"a departure from what is true, right, or proper,\" lapse<\/em> stresses forgetfulness, weakness, or inattention as a cause.<\/p>

\/\/ a lapse<\/em> in judgment<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When might 'blunder' be a better fit than 'lapse'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

While in some cases nearly identical to lapse<\/em>, blunder<\/em><\/a> regularly imputes stupidity or ignorance as a cause and connotes some degree of blame.<\/p>

\/\/ diplomatic blunders<\/em><\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Where would 'error' be a reasonable alternative to 'lapse'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

Although the words error<\/em><\/a> and lapse<\/em> have much in common, error<\/em> suggests the existence of a standard or guide and a straying from the right course through failure to make effective use of this.<\/p>

\/\/ procedural errors<\/em><\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "In what contexts can 'mistake' take the place of 'lapse'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

In some situations, the words mistake<\/em><\/a> and lapse<\/em> are roughly equivalent. However, mistake<\/em> implies misconception or inadvertence and usually expresses less criticism than error<\/em>.<\/p>

\/\/ dialed the wrong number by mistake<\/em><\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When can 'slip' be used instead of 'lapse'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The words slip<\/em><\/a> and lapse<\/em> can be used in similar contexts, but slip<\/em> stresses inadvertence or accident and applies especially to trivial but embarrassing mistakes.<\/p>

\/\/ a slip<\/em> of the tongue<\/p>" } } ] }

lapse 1 of 2

noun

ˈlaps How to pronounce lapse (audio)
Definition of lapsenext
1
as in setback
a change in status for the worse usually temporarily the scandal caused the president to suffer a dramatic lapse in popularity

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in mistake
an unintentional departure from truth or accuracy his slip of the tongue about the mayor's name was an unfortunate lapse

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in cessation
the stopping of a process or activity wasn't bothered by the lapse of her membership at the health club

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

lapse

2 of 2

verb

as in to expire
to come to an end the contract will lapse at the end of the year unless we renew

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun lapse differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of lapse are blunder, error, mistake, and slip. While all these words mean "a departure from what is true, right, or proper," lapse stresses forgetfulness, weakness, or inattention as a cause.

a lapse in judgment

When might blunder be a better fit than lapse?

While in some cases nearly identical to lapse, blunder regularly imputes stupidity or ignorance as a cause and connotes some degree of blame.

diplomatic blunders

Where would error be a reasonable alternative to lapse?

Although the words error and lapse have much in common, error suggests the existence of a standard or guide and a straying from the right course through failure to make effective use of this.

procedural errors

In what contexts can mistake take the place of lapse?

In some situations, the words mistake and lapse are roughly equivalent. However, mistake implies misconception or inadvertence and usually expresses less criticism than error.

dialed the wrong number by mistake

When can slip be used instead of lapse?

The words slip and lapse can be used in similar contexts, but slip stresses inadvertence or accident and applies especially to trivial but embarrassing mistakes.

a slip of the tongue

How does the noun lapse differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of lapse are blunder, error, mistake, and slip. While all these words mean "a departure from what is true, right, or proper," lapse stresses forgetfulness, weakness, or inattention as a cause.

a lapse in judgment

When might blunder be a better fit than lapse?

While in some cases nearly identical to lapse, blunder regularly imputes stupidity or ignorance as a cause and connotes some degree of blame.

diplomatic blunders

Where would error be a reasonable alternative to lapse?

Although the words error and lapse have much in common, error suggests the existence of a standard or guide and a straying from the right course through failure to make effective use of this.

procedural errors

In what contexts can mistake take the place of lapse?

In some situations, the words mistake and lapse are roughly equivalent. However, mistake implies misconception or inadvertence and usually expresses less criticism than error.

dialed the wrong number by mistake

When can slip be used instead of lapse?

The words slip and lapse can be used in similar contexts, but slip stresses inadvertence or accident and applies especially to trivial but embarrassing mistakes.

a slip of the tongue

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 lapse
Noun
Elsewhere in its network, Delta and other airlines have not seen a major impact to their operations from the ongoing Department of Homeland Security funding lapse and long security waits across airports including Atlanta. —Charles Minshew, AJC.com, 23 Mar. 2026 The vast majority of employees at TSA are considered essential, and roughly 50,000 continue to work without pay during the funding lapse. —Arkansas Online, 22 Mar. 2026
Verb
The callout rate for unscheduled absences by frontline officers jumped to an average of 6% during the current shutdown, compared with about 2% before government funding lapsed, according to CBS News, citing TSA statistics. —Amanda Musa, CNN Money, 16 Mar. 2026 Houston Hobby International Airport reached a 55% callout rate on Saturday, which the DHS has described as the highest since the department funding lapsed last month. —Tom Costello, NBC news, 16 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lapse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lapse
  1. setback
  2. mistake
  3. cessation
  4. expire
  5. reversal
  6. error
  7. halt
  8. end
Noun
  • When psychological care is integrated alongside medical and physical treatment, athletes are often better prepared not only to return to sport, but to prevent and manage future setbacks more effectively.
    — Ian McMahan, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2026
  • The decision is the second major legal setback for Kennedy and HHS this week.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Mar. 2026
Definition of setback
Noun
  • But Colorado was lethal in its execution on the counterattack and capitalized on Sporting KC’s mistakes to win 4-1.
    — Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 22 Mar. 2026
  • The previous supreme leader made the mistake of enriching uranium but never building a nuclear weapon; in effect, his nuclear program went far enough to provoke the West into sanctions and military strikes but not far enough to provide protection.
    — Nicholas D. Kristof, Mercury News, 21 Mar. 2026
Definition of mistake
Noun
  • The cessation of hostilities, or ceasefire, that was put in place at the end of that conflict was holding.
    — Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2026
  • The three countries have been trying to mediate a cessation of hostilities since Afghanistan and Pakistan renewed cross-border fighting in February, and had also been involved in helping broker a ceasefire between the two in October.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Mar. 2026
Definition of cessation
Verb
  • With the program now set to expire again, lawmakers are weighing whether to revisit those proposals or move forward with a temporary extension.
    — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 25 Mar. 2026
  • That deadline would have expired late Monday, Washington time.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Mar. 2026
Definition of expire
Noun
  • The sudden reversal of fortunes comes as Jansa has been battling accusations of hiring an Israeli private intelligence company to sway the result following a series of video recordings reporting corruption among the prime minister's allies.
    — Jan Bratanic Bloomberg, Arkansas Online, 22 Mar. 2026
  • Unlike states that never allowed changes to gender markers, Kansas’ move is a striking reversal of its prior permissive policy.
    — Darren Rosenblum, Mercury News, 21 Mar. 2026
Definition of reversal
Noun
  • Wait times are based on data reported by users and are not exact or error-free.
    — AJC.com, AJC.com, 26 Mar. 2026
  • But the Barons got the final out on a base running error by the Sea Kings.
    — Lou Ponsi, Oc Register, 26 Mar. 2026
Definition of error
Noun
  • The strait remains virtually closed as violence in the region escalates, bringing shipping traffic to a near-halt.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2026
  • Taylor Frankie Paul‘s turn as the star of The Bachelorette has come to a screeching halt after ABC opted to shelve the premiere.
    — Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 20 Mar. 2026
Definition of halt
Verb
  • Krispy Kreme and McDonald’s also jointly ended their partnership in July 2025 after finding the venture financially unsustainable, leading to over $50 million in charges for the doughnut company.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 26 Mar. 2026
  • Copper fell along with other base metals as investors monitored the uncertainty surrounding US-Iran negotiations to possibly end the war.
    — Bloomberg, Bloomberg, 26 Mar. 2026
Definition of end

Browse Nearby Words

laps
lapse
lapsed
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Cite this Entry

“Lapse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lapse. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of lapse for Spanish Speakers

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