faux pas

noun

ˈfō-ˌpä How to pronounce faux pas (audio)
Definition of faux pasnext
as in mistake
a socially improper or unsuitable act or remark according to an oft-told story, the queen set a guest at ease about a faux pas by politely imitating it

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 faux pas The acquaintance who posted to Facebook committed a serious social media faux pas. — Abigail Van Buren, Mercury News, 7 Sep. 2026 Her Spa Weekend costars also shared some of their romantic faux pas. — Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Sep. 2026 While this common jewelry mistake likely won’t lead to any major damage, it’s considered a bit of a fashion faux pas and could lead to the loss of a favorite piece. — Larissa Ratschkowski, Glamour, 30 Aug. 2026 For most guys, turning up poolside in the same trunks as someone else isn’t that big of a deal—certainly not a faux pas on the same level as, say, the lady in your life’s arriving on the red carpet in the same gown as another woman. — Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 9 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for faux pas
Recent Examples of Synonyms for faux pas
  1. mistake
  2. blunder
  3. error
Noun
  • In Kundassery’s view, the Democratic Party had made a critical mistake in the first few months of 2025.
    — Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026
  • To keep errors in check, each graph is shown to multiple volunteers, and their answers are combined so that individual mistakes average out, according to the project's website.
    — Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of mistake
Noun
  • Adam Hamilton Hamilton, the Democratic nominee, has characterized the war as a major foreign policy blunder.
    — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Holding her tongue is not Kate’s forte in general, and the severity of Todd’s avalanche of blunders in their meeting with the British foreign secretary tests the outer limits of her ability.
    — Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of blunder
Noun
  • Someone who visits the malicious website directly may see a 404 error page instead of the fake installer.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The experts, who had all studied AI in academic settings, all brought up the ironies of the automation problem, where AI makes errors that humans can’t catch.
    — Adam Clark Estes, Vox, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of error

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faux
faux pas
fave
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Cite this Entry

“Faux pas.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/faux%20pas. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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