lapse

1 of 2

noun

ˈlaps

: a slight error typically due to forgetfulness or inattention

a lapse in table manners

a lapse in security

: a temporary deviation or fall especially from a higher to a lower state

a lapse from grace

ethical lapses

: a becoming less : decline

a lapse in the supply of technicians

a(1)

: the termination of a right or privilege through neglect to exercise it within some limit of time

(2)

: termination of coverage for nonpayment of premiums

the lapse of an insurance policy

: interruption, discontinuance

returned to college after a lapse of several years

: an abandonment of religious faith

: a passage of time

also : interval

the roots of trees … have been preserved after a lapse of five thousand years

Niger Calder

lapse

2 of 2

verb

lapsed; lapsing

intransitive verb

: to fall from an attained and usually high level (as of morals or manners) to one much lower

also : to depart from an accepted pattern or standard

: sink, slip

lapsed into unconsciousness

: to go out of existence : cease

after a few polite exchanges, the conversation lapsed

: to pass from one proprietor to another or from an original owner by omission or negligence

allowed the insurance policy to lapse

: to glide along : pass

time lapses

transitive verb

: to let slip : forfeit

all of those who have lapsed their membership

AAUP Bull.

lapser noun

Example Sentences

Noun He blamed the error on a minor mental lapse. a lapse into bad habits Verb After a few polite words the conversation lapsed. Her interest in politics lapsed while she was in medical school. She didn't pay the premium and her life insurance policy lapsed. He forgot to renew his driver's license, so it lapsed. She allowed the magazine subscription to lapse. See More

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Brennan Gilmore, the photographer responsible for the time-lapse, shared it across Reddit and Instagram.

Joshua Hawkins, BGR, 12 Sep. 2022 Jackson, a Baltimore native and Edmondson-Westside graduate, should be forgiven for the brief mental lapse.

Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 10 Sep. 2022 And this is exactly what happens, but not before Kim absolutely lights up Mike Ehrmentraut (Jonathan Banks) for his (admittedly atypical) lapse in vigilance.

Kat Rosenfield, EW.com, 12 July 2022 Banks believes off-the-field distractions caused the lapse, but said the program has cleaned things up in its quest to have a successful 2022 season.

Terry Gilliam Jr., Orlando Sentinel, 12 Aug. 2022 As Brown ran a penalty lap for the lapse, the defense began what was an all-out assault on the offense on a sweltry afternoon.

Jim Mcbride, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Aug. 2022 But Joseph Cuffari, the inspector general for the Department of Homeland Security, failed to notify the committees about the lapse for months.

Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 26 July 2022 On Thursday, Metro Chief Safety Officer Theresa M. Impastato presented different reasons for the lapse after an internal investigation.

Justin George, Washington Post, 14 July 2022 To try and circumvent the lapse in service, customers gathered in places like coffee shops and public libraries where alternative networks were offered, Reuters reports.

Brigid Kennedy, The Week, 8 July 2022

Verb

The premium subsidies were included in the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package enacted last year and were set to lapse at the end of the year.

Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 8 Aug. 2022 During the Obama administration, expiring Republican tax cuts for most households were made permanent, but those for the highest-income Americans were allowed to lapse.

Richard Rubin, WSJ, 3 Sep. 2022 Instead, Pernel said council will let their deadline lapse on the nomination, effectively confirming it.

Kaitlin Durbin, cleveland, 6 June 2022 These were often set up in good faith but allowed to lapse into mudslinging, thanks to lax moderation—think TripAdvisor, but for Tinder, mashed up with Twitter-level rage.

Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 4 June 2022 Either way, these new rates won't go into effect until the deferment period is allowed to lapse.

Robert Farrington, Forbes, 3 June 2022 But the state let that ban lapse in August 2020, when more than 300,000 Hoosiers were two months or more behind on their bills.

Sarah Bowman, The Indianapolis Star, 9 May 2022 Still, many employers fall short—or have let their supplies lapse with fewer workers visiting their physical spaces.

Emma Hinchliffe And Paige Mcglauflin, Fortune, 21 Apr. 2022 After John Muir let her contract lapse, Kalamas sued the hospital in January.

Matthias Gafni, San Francisco Chronicle, 15 Apr. 2022 See More

Kids Definition

lapse 1 of 2

noun

ˈlaps

: a slight error usually caused by lack of attention or forgetfulness

a lapse in manners

lapses in judgment

: a change that results in a worse condition

She suffered a lapse in confidence.

: a passage of time

He returned after a lapse of two years.

lapse

2 of 2

verb

lapsed; lapsing

: to slip, pass, or fall gradually

The conversation lapsed into silence.

: to come to an end : cease

The car insurance lapsed.

Legal Definition

lapse 1 of 2

noun

ˈlaps

: a termination or failure due to events, neglect, or time: as

: the failure of a bequest (as because the intended recipient dies before the testator) compare anti-lapse statute

: the termination of an insurance policy because of nonpayment of premiums or nonrenewal

lapse

2 of 2

verb

lapsed; lapsing

intransitive verb

: to terminate, become ineffective, or fail

the bequest lapsed when the son died before the father

allowed the insurance policy to lapse

transitive verb

: to cause (as a policy) to lapse

the company lapsed the policy

lapse 1 of 2

noun

as in setback

a change in status for the worse usually temporarily the scandal caused the president to suffer a dramatic lapse in popularity

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

setback
reversal
reverse
reversion
decline
disappointment
knock
downfall
collapse
breakdown
relapse
frustration
turnaround
regression
fall
letdown
meltdown
recession
comedown
undoing
ruin
crash
retrogression
turnabout
down
descent

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

status quo

as in mistake

an unintentional departure from truth or accuracy his slip of the tongue about the mayor's name was an unfortunate lapse

Synonyms & Similar Words

mistake
blunder
error
inaccuracy
miscue
misstep
flub
trip
fumble
slipup
stumble
gaffe
screwup
goof
slip
oversight
fault
bobble
gaff
brick
clanger
boob
clinker
misunderstanding
fluff
blooper
boo-boo
pratfall
snafu
misjudgment
miscalculation
misconstruction
misstatement
misinterpretation
misconception
bloomer
misreading
howler
miscomprehension
foul-up
misapprehension
misdescription
boner
misimpression

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

precision
accuracy
strictness
exactness
preciseness
correctness
exactitude
infallibility
perfection
inerrancy

as in cessation

the stopping of a process or activity wasn't bothered by the lapse of her membership at the health club

Synonyms & Similar Words

cessation
halt
ending
expiration
conclusion
end
termination
close
shutdown
stoppage
discontinuance
discontinuation
cease
closure
arrest
stop
stay
shutoff
offset
pause
cutoff
interruption
closedown
finish
surcease
suspension
arrestment
check
abeyance
break
layoff
moratorium
standstill
phaseout
letup
mop-up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

continuance
continuation
persistence
extension
prolongation

lapse

2 of 2

verb

as in to expire

to come to an end the contract will lapse at the end of the year unless we renew

Synonyms & Similar Words

expire
end
stop
cease
halt
conclude
elapse
pass
terminate
die
finish
close
go
break off
discontinue
wind up
leave off
stall
break up
determine
let up
quit
bite the dust
pause
dead-end
wink (out)
suspend
stay
cut out
break down
knock off
abate
wind down
give over
lay off (of)
pack (up or in)
refrain (from)
desist (from)
conk (out)
peter (out)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

persist
continue
prolong
hang on
extend
protract
draw out

Synonym Chooser

Some common synonyms of lapse are blunder, error, mistake, and slip. While all these words mean "a departure from what is true, right, or proper," lapse stresses forgetfulness, weakness, or inattention as a cause.

a lapse in judgment

While in some cases nearly identical to lapse, blunder regularly imputes stupidity or ignorance as a cause and connotes some degree of blame.

diplomatic blunders

Although the words error and lapse have much in common, error suggests the existence of a standard or guide and a straying from the right course through failure to make effective use of this.

procedural errors

In some situations, the words mistake and lapse are roughly equivalent. However, mistake implies misconception or inadvertence and usually expresses less criticism than error.

dialed the wrong number by mistake

The words slip and lapse can be used in similar contexts, but slip stresses inadvertence or accident and applies especially to trivial but embarrassing mistakes.

a slip of the tongue

单词	lapse
释义	lapse 1 of 2 noun ˈlaps 1 a : a slight error typically due to forgetfulness or inattention a lapse in table manners a lapse in security b : a temporary deviation or fall especially from a higher to a lower state a lapse from grace ethical lapses 2 : a becoming less : decline a lapse in the supply of technicians 3 a(1) : the termination of a right or privilege through neglect to exercise it within some limit of time (2) : termination of coverage for nonpayment of premiums the lapse of an insurance policy b : interruption, discontinuance returned to college after a lapse of several years 4 : an abandonment of religious faith 5 : a passage of time also : interval the roots of trees … have been preserved after a lapse of five thousand years Niger Calder lapse 2 of 2 verb lapsed; lapsing intransitive verb 1 a : to fall from an attained and usually high level (as of morals or manners) to one much lower also : to depart from an accepted pattern or standard b : sink, slip lapsed into unconsciousness 2 : to go out of existence : cease after a few polite exchanges, the conversation lapsed 3 : to pass from one proprietor to another or from an original owner by omission or negligence allowed the insurance policy to lapse 4 : to glide along : pass time lapses transitive verb : to let slip : forfeit all of those who have lapsed their membership AAUP Bull. lapser noun Synonyms Noun knock reversal reverse setback Verb break off break up cease close conclude dead-end determine die discontinue elapse end expire finish go halt leave off let up pass quit stop terminate wind up wink (out) See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Noun He blamed the error on a minor mental lapse. a lapse into bad habits Verb After a few polite words the conversation lapsed. Her interest in politics lapsed while she was in medical school. She didn't pay the premium and her life insurance policy lapsed. He forgot to renew his driver's license, so it lapsed. She allowed the magazine subscription to lapse. See More Recent Examples on the Web Noun Brennan Gilmore, the photographer responsible for the time-lapse, shared it across Reddit and Instagram. Joshua Hawkins, BGR, 12 Sep. 2022 Jackson, a Baltimore native and Edmondson-Westside graduate, should be forgiven for the brief mental lapse. Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 10 Sep. 2022 And this is exactly what happens, but not before Kim absolutely lights up Mike Ehrmentraut (Jonathan Banks) for his (admittedly atypical) lapse in vigilance. Kat Rosenfield, EW.com, 12 July 2022 Banks believes off-the-field distractions caused the lapse, but said the program has cleaned things up in its quest to have a successful 2022 season. Terry Gilliam Jr., Orlando Sentinel, 12 Aug. 2022 As Brown ran a penalty lap for the lapse, the defense began what was an all-out assault on the offense on a sweltry afternoon. Jim Mcbride, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Aug. 2022 But Joseph Cuffari, the inspector general for the Department of Homeland Security, failed to notify the committees about the lapse for months. Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 26 July 2022 On Thursday, Metro Chief Safety Officer Theresa M. Impastato presented different reasons for the lapse after an internal investigation. Justin George, Washington Post, 14 July 2022 To try and circumvent the lapse in service, customers gathered in places like coffee shops and public libraries where alternative networks were offered, Reuters reports. Brigid Kennedy, The Week, 8 July 2022 Verb The premium subsidies were included in the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package enacted last year and were set to lapse at the end of the year. Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 8 Aug. 2022 During the Obama administration, expiring Republican tax cuts for most households were made permanent, but those for the highest-income Americans were allowed to lapse. Richard Rubin, WSJ, 3 Sep. 2022 Instead, Pernel said council will let their deadline lapse on the nomination, effectively confirming it. Kaitlin Durbin, cleveland, 6 June 2022 These were often set up in good faith but allowed to lapse into mudslinging, thanks to lax moderation—think TripAdvisor, but for Tinder, mashed up with Twitter-level rage. Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 4 June 2022 Either way, these new rates won't go into effect until the deferment period is allowed to lapse. Robert Farrington, Forbes, 3 June 2022 But the state let that ban lapse in August 2020, when more than 300,000 Hoosiers were two months or more behind on their bills. Sarah Bowman, The Indianapolis Star, 9 May 2022 Still, many employers fall short—or have let their supplies lapse with fewer workers visiting their physical spaces. Emma Hinchliffe And Paige Mcglauflin, Fortune, 21 Apr. 2022 After John Muir let her contract lapse, Kalamas sued the hospital in January. Matthias Gafni, San Francisco Chronicle, 15 Apr. 2022 See More Word History Etymology Noun and Verb Latin lapsus, from labi to slip — more at sleep First Known Use Noun 1526, in the meaning defined at sense 1a Verb 1611, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a Phrases Containing lapse memory lapse lapse rate time-lapse lapse into memory lapse lapse rate time-lapse lapse into Kids Definition lapse 1 of 2 noun ˈlaps 1 : a slight error usually caused by lack of attention or forgetfulness a lapse in manners lapses in judgment 2 : a change that results in a worse condition She suffered a lapse in confidence. 3 : a passage of time He returned after a lapse of two years. lapse 2 of 2 verb lapsed; lapsing 1 : to slip, pass, or fall gradually The conversation lapsed into silence. 2 : to come to an end : cease The car insurance lapsed. Legal Definition lapse 1 of 2 noun ˈlaps : a termination or failure due to events, neglect, or time: as a : the failure of a bequest (as because the intended recipient dies before the testator) compare anti-lapse statute b : the termination of an insurance policy because of nonpayment of premiums or nonrenewal lapse 2 of 2 verb lapsed; lapsing intransitive verb : to terminate, become ineffective, or fail the bequest lapsed when the son died before the father allowed the insurance policy to lapse transitive verb : to cause (as a policy) to lapse the company lapsed the policy lapse 1 of 2 noun 1 as in setback a change in status for the worse usually temporarily the scandal caused the president to suffer a dramatic lapse in popularity Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance setback reversal reverse reversion decline disappointment knock downfall collapse breakdown relapse frustration turnaround regression fall letdown meltdown recession comedown undoing ruin crash retrogression turnabout down descent Antonyms & Near Antonyms status quo 2 as in mistake an unintentional departure from truth or accuracy his slip of the tongue about the mayor's name was an unfortunate lapse Synonyms & Similar Words mistake blunder error inaccuracy miscue misstep flub trip fumble slipup stumble gaffe screwup goof slip oversight fault bobble gaff brick clanger boob clinker misunderstanding fluff blooper boo-boo pratfall snafu misjudgment miscalculation misconstruction misstatement misinterpretation misconception bloomer misreading howler miscomprehension foul-up misapprehension misdescription boner misimpression Antonyms & Near Antonyms precision accuracy strictness exactness preciseness correctness exactitude infallibility perfection inerrancy See More 3 as in cessation the stopping of a process or activity wasn't bothered by the lapse of her membership at the health club Synonyms & Similar Words cessation halt ending expiration conclusion end termination close shutdown stoppage discontinuance discontinuation cease closure arrest stop stay shutoff offset pause cutoff interruption closedown finish surcease suspension arrestment check abeyance break layoff moratorium standstill phaseout letup mop-up Antonyms & Near Antonyms continuance continuation persistence extension prolongation lapse 2 of 2 verb as in to expire to come to an end the contract will lapse at the end of the year unless we renew Synonyms & Similar Words expire end stop cease halt conclude elapse pass terminate die finish close go break off discontinue wind up leave off stall break up determine let up quit bite the dust pause dead-end wink (out) suspend stay cut out break down knock off abate wind down give over lay off (of) pack (up or in) refrain (from) desist (from) conk (out) peter (out) Antonyms & Near Antonyms persist continue prolong hang on extend protract draw out See More Synonym Chooser Some common synonyms of lapse are blunder, error, mistake, and slip. While all these words mean "a departure from what is true, right, or proper," lapse stresses forgetfulness, weakness, or inattention as a cause. a lapse in judgment While in some cases nearly identical to lapse, blunder regularly imputes stupidity or ignorance as a cause and connotes some degree of blame. diplomatic blunders Although the words error and lapse have much in common, error suggests the existence of a standard or guide and a straying from the right course through failure to make effective use of this. procedural errors In some situations, the words mistake and lapse are roughly equivalent. However, mistake implies misconception or inadvertence and usually expresses less criticism than error. dialed the wrong number by mistake The words slip and lapse can be used in similar contexts, but slip stresses inadvertence or accident and applies especially to trivial but embarrassing mistakes. a slip of the tongue
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lapse

noun

verb

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Phrases Containing lapse

Kids Definition

noun

verb

Legal Definition

noun

verb

noun

verb

Synonym Chooser