solecism

noun

ˈsä-lə-ˌsi-zəm How to pronounce solecism (audio)
Definition of solecismnext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 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
  1. blunder
  2. mistake
  3. indiscretion
  4. error
  5. gaffe
Noun
  • Sometimes this was committed to good, such as the Marshall Plan and the Peace Corps, and sometimes to ill, as in a series of military blunders meant to quash godless Communism.
    — Jim Rasenberger, The Atlantic, 4 July 2026
  • German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has also fallen foul of Germany’s World Cup elimination by Paraguay, after stumbling into a social media debacle following a communications blunder.
    — Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 1 July 2026
Definition of blunder
Noun
  • Despite the full lineup and passionate patriotic crowd in Seattle, Team USA looked uncomfortable from the start, fell behind early, made sloppy mistakes and could not keep up with the Belgians, who move on to face Spain in the quarterfinals.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 7 July 2026
  • The scribe carefully inscribed each line with a quill made from a goose feather, while their other hand wielded an erasing knife used to sharpen the quill and scrape away any mistakes.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 July 2026
Definition of mistake
Noun
  • Eventually, Batula moved past Cooke’s indiscretions and married him in 2021.
    — Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 29 June 2026
  • History is littered with the careers of politicians who committed crimes or engaged in moral indiscretions and then tried to lie their way out of public shame.
    — Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 June 2026
Definition of indiscretion
Noun
  • Third baseman Ryan McMahon also committed a throwing error, New York's 19th in its last 14 games.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 July 2026
  • England is hoping karma is on its side after a famous goal-scoring error sealed a World Cup loss to Argentina 40 years ago at Azteca Stadium.
    — Eduard Cauich, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026
Definition of error
Noun
  • The gaffe allowed Rays catcher Hunter Feduccia to reach third with an RBI triple.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 3 July 2026
  • The gaffe led to widespread speculation that Alito was preparing to retire, and that NPR's Nina Totenberg, who has covered the Supreme Court since the 1970s, jumped the gun by publishing too soon a story she had been tipped off about.
    — Dan Mangan,Luke Fountain,Kevin Breuninger,Garrett Downs,Ashley Capoot,Justin Papp, CNBC, 2 July 2026
Definition of gaffe

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Cite this Entry

“Solecism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/solecism. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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