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

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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 faux pas Thomas has been estranged from the organization for months over a social media faux pas that bothered him and a lawsuit over sales of his jersey. — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 1 Oct. 2026 The viral coffee debate joins a growing list of workplace faux pas involving Gen Z, including bringing parents to sit in on interviews, as Fox News Digital previously reported. — Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 23 Sep. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for faux pas
Recent Examples of Synonyms for faux pas
  1. mistake
  2. blunder
  3. error
Noun
  • And if so, did Democrats make a mistake by not investing earlier?
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Tampa Bay, which won the AL pennant by forcing opponents into mistakes, committed one error, made two other misplays that could have been charged as errors and had a runner thrown out at the plate.
    — Ronald Blum, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of mistake
Noun
  • Burks said that leadership blunders are at the problem’s crux.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Soon-to-be Cy Young Award winner Jacob Misiorowski held the Rays to just one run in his five innings, but certainly not without the help of some Rays baserunning blunders.
    — Ryan Morik OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of blunder
Noun
  • Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler lead Lakers past the Clippers in an error-prone game.
    — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
  • The two-point difference is within the poll’s margin of error.
    — Luisa Yanez, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of error

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faux
faux pas
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Cite this Entry

“Faux pas.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/faux%20pas. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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