Looking for synonyms for faux pas? We’ve got you covered!
Here’s a list of other ways to say faux pas.
- Blunder
- Misstep
- Gaffe
- Indiscretion
- Mistake
- Oversight
- Impropriety
- Error
- Slip
- Breach of etiquette
- Social mistake
- Fumble
- Inadvertence
- Lapse
- Miscalculation
Want to learn how to say faux pas professionally? Keep reading for examples and use cases.
1. Blunder
“Blunder” refers to a careless or foolish mistake, often with significant consequences. It’s appropriate in professional, social, and various decision-making contexts.
Example: Sending the confidential email to the wrong recipient was a major blunder.
2. Misstep
“Misstep” denotes a wrong or mistaken step, figuratively implying a poor decision or action. It’s suitable in business strategies and personal choices.
Example: The CEO admitted that the product launch timing was a strategic misstep.
3. Gaffe
“Gaffe” is used to describe a clumsy social error or a tactless act. It’s often used in social, political, and diplomatic contexts.
Example: The politician’s comment during the interview was considered a significant gaffe.
4. Indiscretion
“Indiscretion” refers to an act or remark causing embarrassment due to lack of good judgment. It’s applicable in personal, professional, and social scenarios.
Example: The manager’s indiscretion in discussing confidential matters openly caused discomfort among employees.
5. Mistake
“Mistake” is a general term for an action or judgment that is misguided or wrong. It’s widely used in all contexts, from academic to professional.
Example: The incorrect data in the report was an honest mistake.
6. Oversight
“Oversight” implies an unintentional failure to notice or do something. It’s suitable in managerial, administrative, and operational contexts.
Example: The oversight in the safety checks led to a delay in the project’s completion.
7. Impropriety
“Impropriety” involves inappropriate behavior or action. It’s often used in ethical, legal, and professional contexts.
Example: The board member resigned due to allegations of financial impropriety.
8. Error
“Error” is a mistake, often in calculation, action, or judgment. It’s commonly used in technical, scientific, and everyday situations.
Example: A coding error was the cause of the software malfunction.
9. Slip
“Slip” is a small mistake or oversight, often minor but potentially embarrassing. It’s used in contexts ranging from speech to professional tasks.
Example: The presenter’s slip of the tongue was quickly corrected during the presentation.
10. Breach of Etiquette
“Breach of etiquette” refers to a violation of social or professional norms of behavior. It’s suitable in formal, social, and business settings.
Example: Not acknowledging the junior team members in the project success announcement was seen as a breach of etiquette.
11. Social Mistake
“Social mistake” describes an error in judgment or behavior in social interactions. It’s used in networking, interpersonal relationships, and public settings.
Example: His social mistake at the gala was quickly becoming the talk of the office.
12. Fumble
“Fumble” implies handling something clumsily or ineffectively, often leading to a mistake. It’s appropriate in physical activities and situations requiring skill or tact.
Example: The sales representative’s fumble during the product demo was noticeable but not critical.
13. Inadvertence
“Inadvertence” refers to a lack of attention or accidental oversight leading to a mistake. It’s used in legal, professional, and everyday scenarios.
Example: The document’s release was an act of inadvertence, not intentional disclosure.
14. Lapse
“Lapse” denotes a temporary failure in concentration, memory, or judgment. It’s suitable for minor errors or forgetfulness in various contexts.
Example: There was a momentary lapse in customer service quality due to the system outage.
15. Miscalculation
“Miscalculation” means an incorrect estimate or planning error, often leading to undesired outcomes. It’s used in strategic, financial, and analytical contexts.
Example: The project failure was attributed to a miscalculation of the market demand.
