SOLECISM Synonyms: 44 Similar and Opposite Words

solecism

noun

ˈsä-lə-ˌsi-zəm

Definition of solecism

as in blunder

a socially improper or unsuitable act or remark the solecism of asking one's hosts how much something in their house cost them

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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 solecism The result is global English but one without the imprecision and solecism implied by that label. — Colin Marshall, The New Yorker, 8 Dec. 2022 And a single word couldn’t be a dead giveaway either, no matter how much people would like to portray the use of pled rather than pleaded as an obvious Trumpian solecism, especially when Dowd himself has been documented using pled at least once. — Ben Zimmer, The Atlantic, 8 Dec. 2017

Recent Examples of Synonyms for solecism

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

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

Rogers’ indiscretion was later exploited by online blackmail scammers, ultimately leading to his downfall.

— Eamon Javers, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2026
All of these cases have provided something of a template for missteps and indiscretions by people who work in sports media.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of indiscretion

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

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

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“Solecism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/solecism. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of solecism

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