slip 1 of 3

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as in to sneak
to introduce in a gradual, secret, or clever way casually slipped it into the conversation

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in to lurk
to move about in a sly or secret manner slipped behind the cover of the trees

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in to shed
to cast (a natural bodily covering or appendage) aside periodically crabs slip their shells and grow new ones

Synonyms & Similar Words

slip

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noun (1)

as in strip
a long narrow piece of material baskets woven from slips of wicker

Synonyms & Similar Words

slip

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noun (2)

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as in fall
the act of going down from an upright position suddenly and involuntarily had a nasty slip on the ice

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun slip differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of slip are blunder, error, lapse, and mistake. While all these words mean "a departure from what is true, right, or proper," slip stresses inadvertence or accident and applies especially to trivial but embarrassing mistakes.

a slip of the tongue

When is it sensible to use blunder instead of slip?

The meanings of blunder and slip largely overlap; however, blunder regularly imputes stupidity or ignorance as a cause and connotes some degree of blame.

diplomatic blunders

When is error a more appropriate choice than slip?

In some situations, the words error and slip are roughly equivalent. However, error suggests the existence of a standard or guide and a straying from the right course through failure to make effective use of this.

procedural errors

When would lapse be a good substitute for slip?

The synonyms lapse and slip are sometimes interchangeable, but lapse stresses forgetfulness, weakness, or inattention as a cause.

a lapse in judgment

When can mistake be used instead of slip?

The words mistake and slip are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, mistake implies misconception or inadvertence and usually expresses less criticism than error.

dialed the wrong number by mistake

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of slip
Verb
In government bond markets, 10-year gilt yields slipped over the last week and now trade around 4.47%. Ian King, CNBC, 25 June 2025 Rock loves that the liner rim holds it tightly in place, so the bag never slips. Jamie Fischer, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 June 2025
Noun
The outlet reported that while the cause of the slip has not been identified, the peak wind gusts at 36 mph could have been a factor. Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 13 June 2025 Something tells me those wary rascals spotted us and gave us the slip. Percy Brown, Outdoor Life, 12 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for slip
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slip
Verb
  • Season two saw Valerie cast in an HBO project about the sitcom writer who made her life hell in season one, earning widespread acclaim professionally even as her personal life was falling apart.
    Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 27 June 2025
  • In the footage, the wooden wall can be seen falling forward with a thud, while two vertical cables hang behind, apparently slack.
    Jake Kanter, Deadline, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • After making it around the corner of a nearby Taco Bell, Muller appears to stumble, the footage shows.
    Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 28 June 2025
  • Astronomers studying a distant galaxy cluster stumbled upon ancient radio signals that might hold clues to the formation of the early universe.
    Nick Butler, FOXNews.com, 28 June 2025
Verb
  • Cane then sneaks up from behind and kills Grady’s men, freeing his father.
    Keith Langston, People.com, 21 June 2025
  • Universal Studios Florida began its iteration of the attraction in 1990, SyFy noted, featuring, of course, a (mechanical) great white shark that snuck up on riders of the boat tour.
    Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • But in the background still lurk the conditions and trends that has spurred allocators away from the USD.
    Diane Brady, Fortune, 18 June 2025
  • Beyond our villa, wildlife lurked in the forest, and several members of the resort’s staff were, like Nando, natural naturalists.
    The New York Times, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 June 2025
Verb
  • The next step for the astronomers will be to explore how hot gas flows through NGC 253, changing composition and helping to create new stars.
    Robert Lea, Space.com, 18 June 2025
  • Profits flow through Chinese underground banks to the Chinese Communist Party’s $210 billion state tobacco empire, helping fund naval expansion and ballistic-missile programs.
    Edgar Domenech, Sun Sentinel, 18 June 2025
Verb
  • As the Catholic archdiocese hunts for ways to contract, it’s been shedding churches wholesale and having no trouble finding buyers that are tuned to the doings — or undoing — of religious organizations.
    Justin Davidson, Curbed, 27 June 2025
  • And while the conditions of a homeless person’s life may be alien to many, their deaths shed light on problems that affect everyone using the roads.
    Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • The different firmness levels ensure that the mattress will never sag, regardless of the sleeper’s body type.
    Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 13 June 2025
  • Revising the menu and starting to bake some pastries fresh in store is all a part of the CEO’s plan to expand into the wellness sector and reverse sagging sales.
    Morgan Severson, CNN Money, 11 June 2025
Verb
  • The union had earlier brought up the risks associated with the protective platforms after another visitor tripped over one, causing no damage.
    News Desk, Artforum, 25 June 2025
  • In Death Stranding 2, players control a courier who trips over rocks, experiences sunburn, and faces his own possible obsolescence.
    Simon Parkin, The Atlantic, 23 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Slip.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slip. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.

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