How to Use err on the side of in a Sentence

err on the side of

phrase
  • When in doubt, err on the side of fresh—your skin will thank you.
    Ciara Lucas, SELF, 18 Mar. 2026
  • Always err on the side of caution and call your vet straight away.
    Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 July 2025
  • If in doubt, err on the side of caution and dispose of the item.
    Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
  • Some displays tend to err on the side of scary, while others are spooky-chic.
    Lizzy Rosenberg, Peoplemag, 8 Oct. 2023
  • Overall, the smart approach is to err on the side of balance.
    Julia Ranney, The Athletic, 13 Feb. 2025
  • Soria’s approach is to take things slow and to err on the side of caution.
    Owen Clarke, Outside, 6 Oct. 2025
  • So, err on the side of caution and don't touch your eyes without washing your hands.
    Susan Brickell, Health, 9 Mar. 2023
  • In trying to find the right balance, many err on the side of overspending.
    Becca Stanek, theweek, 13 Dec. 2024
  • When in doubt, err on the side of caution and throw out food that may have spoiled during your journey.
    Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Nov. 2025
  • Use your senses and, when in doubt, err on the side of undermixing.
    Chris Morocco, Bon Appétit, 24 Mar. 2023
  • Hosts and servers sometimes err on the side of too solicitous.
    Mackensy Lunsford, The Tennessean, 14 Nov. 2024
  • The key, when cooking them, is to err on the side of less water, so your grains end up pearly and distinct.
    Emily Horton, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024
  • Of course baby + rambunctious dog = err on the side of caution.
    Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 10 Mar. 2023
  • Even a seemingly small bump or bruise can worsen later, so err on the side of caution.
    Sponsored Content, Denver Post, 30 Apr. 2025
  • The isolation approach is designed to err on the side of caution.
    Dustin Webber, Forbes, 11 July 2022
  • Thus, leaders often err on the side of caution, knowing that they are held to a high standard.
    Harvard Business Review, 20 Feb. 2026
  • However, Pillard seemed primed to err on the side of caution.
    Ella Lee, The Hill, 10 Apr. 2025
  • At each decision point, Democrats should err on the side of transparency.
    Editorial Board, Washington Post, 21 July 2024
  • To give this palette a modern spin, err on the side of earth tones as opposed to the bright, campy colors of decades past.
    Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Aug. 2023
  • During these nine months, you are encouraged to err on the side of caution to keep you and your little one healthy.
    Sarah Bradley, Parents, 22 July 2024
  • So for October, the Fed wanted to err on the side of a further rate cut.
    Sarah Min, CNBC, 29 Oct. 2025
  • Midwest homes tend to err on the side of traditional or log cabin-style, which is why this home stands out among the rest.
    Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 4 Apr. 2024
  • That may err on the side of slightly wishful thinking, but the club at least has a better head start on eternal life than most.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 10 Nov. 2025
  • Buttigieg for instance, may prefer to err on the side of caution when describing the challenges ahead.
    Kevin O'Marah, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
  • In general, err on the side of slightly larger to ensure comfort.
    Rachel Rothman, Good Housekeeping, 8 June 2023
  • Even more so than the original game, this version takes care to err on the side of absurdity and heart over anger and spite.
    Sam MacHkovech, Ars Technica, 27 Apr. 2022
  • Some people may never feel the effects, but flight attendants who’ve seen the tanks up close tend to err on the side of caution.
    Alesandra Dubin, Southern Living, 1 July 2025
  • To extend the lifespan of your favorite undergarments, err on the side of caution and air-dry them.
    Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Aug. 2024
  • Some people may never feel the effects, but flight attendants who’ve seen the tanks up close tend to err on the side of caution.
    Alesandra Dubin, Southern Living, 19 Dec. 2025
  • Roberts, who will err on the side of shorter stints with his starters after losing Buehler, was thrilled with the resistance.
    Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2022

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'err on the side of.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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