gaff 1 of 2

noun

ˈgaf How to pronounce gaff (audio)
Definition of gaffnext
1
as in blunder
a socially improper or unsuitable act or remark you can expect to make some amusing gaffs until you get more familiar with the language

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in mistake
an unintentional departure from truth or accuracy double-check the new writer's grammar, as it's typically riddled with gaffs

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gaff

2 of 2

verb

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

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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

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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 gaff
Noun
Spurs on some of the chickens were cut excessively short to fit steel fighting gaffs and blades for more lethal fighting, deputies said. — Timia Cobb, Dallas Morning News, 7 Apr. 2026 Cockfighting draws scrutiny, too, with homes searched for steroids or gaffs — the sharp blades that get strapped to a fighting rooster’s feet. — Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Dec. 2025 Our crew were the boat’s recently wed co-owners, Watson and Stella Marina, experienced sailors who bought the 1938 Danish gaff cutter in 2020 and now run trips out of Cornwall and the west coast of Scotland from April to September. — Alexander Barlow, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Sep. 2025 Crowe leaped from the boat with a fishing gaff and, after several fumbles, managed to flip the trembling, bloodied creature onto the bow deck. — Nathaniel Rich, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for gaff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gaff
  1. blunder
  2. mistake
  3. trick
  4. cheat
  5. gaffe
  6. error
  7. fool
  8. sting
Noun
  • The slip didn’t go unnoticed by Mikey Day’s Lorax, who later worked the blunder into the sketch.
    — Anna Tingley, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
  • In the seventh inning of a 1-all tie, Teoscar Hernández redeemed himself for another fielding blunder with a single that finally drove dizzying Braves starter Tyler Mahle from the game.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of blunder
Noun
  • Still, when an account suddenly asks you to spend money or connect something valuable, a few extra checks can save you from a painful mistake.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2026
  • And on Sunday — despite driving with an impressive desperation (that included a heated Stage 2 exchange with his crew chief over the radio) — a few mistakes followed him.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of mistake
Verb
  • While Bela is using the bathroom, Other Mommy approaches her and tricks her into agreeing that their family would be better if Frank wasn’t around.
    — William Earl, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Aguilar alleged that officers tricked her mother, who only speaks Spanish, into letting them in without giving her a chance to secure Kush.
    — Amy Corral, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of trick
Verb
  • In taking that gamble, the authors cheated fans and missed an opportunity.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2026
  • How successful the gerrymandering actually was remains to be seen — Republicans are polling poorly in the Lone Star State, perhaps in part because of their blatant attempt to cheat voters out of their voices.
    — The Denver Post Editorial Board, Denver Post, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of cheat
Noun
  • Shroff also said the debate produced no major gaffes or race-changing moments in a contest that has already attracted substantial national attention and spending.
    — Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 9 Oct. 2026
  • But the clips are inescapable on my Instagram feed, and the science gaffes seem … real bad.
    — Brittany Trang, STAT, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of gaffe
Noun
  • Another factor is the effect of radiation on the chips powering the data centers which can cause errors.
    — Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026
  • That's out of nearly 190,000 reports made about the drug over that period, most of which included minor gastrointestinal issues, dosing errors or injection site redness.
    — Yuki Noguchi, NPR, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of error
Verb
  • And we will be fooled into believing that’s the best, or worst, thing comedy has to offer.
    — Christina Catherine Martinez, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The balancing act Don’t be fooled by the lack of a back-up plan.
    — Tyler Carmona, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of fool
Verb
  • Indy struggled against Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens in its season opener, then took a stinging 33-30 overtime loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
    — Elise Devlin, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2026
  • General Mills spun off Darden Restaurants in 1995, and then Darden sold Red Lobster in 2014, in a deal with the private equity firm Golden Gate Capital that still stings many veterans to this day.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of sting

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Gaff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gaff. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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