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lapses

  • plural
    of lapse.
    lapse
    noun
    an accidental or temporary decline or deviation from an expected or accepted condition or state; a temporary falling or slipping from a previous standard.
  • present tense form
    of lapse (3rd person singular).
    lapse
    noun
    an accidental or temporary decline or deviation from an expected or accepted condition or state; a temporary falling or slipping from a previous standard.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves are helping the Lakers score at an elite clip, but a loss to Portland on Tuesday exposed the team’s defensive lapses.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 29, 2026

Questions are also being asked about major security lapses, including how the attacker was recruited by Flydubai and given clearance to fly a plane filled with Israelis to Tel Aviv.

From BBC ● Oct. 10, 2026

If Israel points to security lapses publicly, or shuts the flights for an extended period of time, this will be read by other airlines as signs that Dubai airport isn’t safe.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 4, 2026

These analyses aim to gauge the capabilities of autonomous AI tools, as their lapses fuel fears of losing control over the technology.

From Barron's ● Oct. 1, 2026

“Your memory lapses aren’t unlike someone who’s had a stroke and is slowly recovering,” he says.

From "The Adoration of Jenna Fox" by Mary E. Pearson