in error
idiom
1
: not correct : mistaken
I believe your conclusion is in error.
The judge was in error when she allowed the evidence to be admitted.
2
: in a way that is not correct
My earlier statement was made in error.
The evidence was admitted in error.
Examples of in error in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
After working through the weekend to rescind RIF notices that were sent out in error, those HR staff lost access to their work email accounts and work computers.
—
Andrea Hsu, NPR, 15 Oct. 2025
Staff and officers at the CDC’s Epidemic Intelligence Service who were able to check their emails have also received notices that their firings were in error, according to a CDC official with knowledge of the situation who asked not to be named for fear of retaliation.
—Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 12 Oct. 2025
Some language just gets contorted in error.
—Louis J. Esterhazy, Footwear News, 11 Oct. 2025
The ruling came Monday during a status conference held in the case of Abrego Garcia, the Salvadoran man deported in error to El Salvador last March and then returned back to the United States in June to face criminal charges in Tennessee.
—Ely Brown, ABC News, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for in error
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.
Andrea Hsu, NPR, 15 Oct. 2025
Staff and officers at the CDC’s Epidemic Intelligence Service who were able to check their emails have also received notices that their firings were in error, according to a CDC official with knowledge of the situation who asked not to be named for fear of retaliation.
—Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 12 Oct. 2025
Some language just gets contorted in error.
—Louis J. Esterhazy, Footwear News, 11 Oct. 2025
The ruling came Monday during a status conference held in the case of Abrego Garcia, the Salvadoran man deported in error to El Salvador last March and then returned back to the United States in June to face criminal charges in Tennessee.
—Ely Brown, ABC News, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for in error
Cite this Entry
“In error.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20error. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share