lapse

/læps/
verb
  1. To fail to maintain a standard or to make a temporary mistake.
    • Don't let your attention lapse while driving.
    • She lapsed from her usual polite behavior and shouted.
    • He lapsed into silence during the meeting.
  2. To become no longer valid or active, especially because of time or failure to act.
    • His membership lapsed when he stopped paying dues.
    • The law lapsed after the new regulations were passed.
    • Your subscription will lapse if you don't renew it.
  3. To gradually pass into a different state or condition, often a worse one.
    • She lapsed into a deep sleep after the long flight.
    • The conversation lapsed into awkward silence.
    • The country lapsed into chaos after the election.
Antonyms
noun
  1. A temporary failure or mistake, especially one that is not serious.
    • I had a brief lapse in concentration and missed the exit.
    • Her memory lapse made her forget the appointment.
    • The security lapse allowed someone to enter the building without a badge.
  2. A period of time that passes between two events.
    • The email was sent after a short time lapse.
    • There was a long lapse between the first and second acts of the play.
    • After a lapse of several years, they finally met again.
  3. The act of becoming no longer active or valid, often because of time or neglect.
    • The membership will expire after a one-year lapse.
    • A lapse in the contract meant the deal fell through.
    • The insurance policy had a lapse in coverage.
What does "lapse" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean