blunder 1 of 2

blunder

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun blunder differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of blunder are error, lapse, mistake, and slip. While all these words mean "a departure from what is true, right, or proper," blunder regularly imputes stupidity or ignorance as a cause and connotes some degree of blame.

diplomatic blunders

When might error be a better fit than blunder?

The synonyms error and blunder are sometimes interchangeable, but 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

Where would lapse be a reasonable alternative to blunder?

The meanings of lapse and blunder largely overlap; however, lapse stresses forgetfulness, weakness, or inattention as a cause.

a lapse in judgment

When is mistake a more appropriate choice than blunder?

The words mistake and blunder 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

When can slip be used instead of blunder?

While in some cases nearly identical to blunder, slip stresses inadvertence or accident and applies especially to trivial but embarrassing mistakes.

a slip of the tongue

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 blunder
Noun
Shann Rose's clip has been viewed over 3,300 times, with commenters finding the blunder hilarious. Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025 The Gophers were stung by two major blunders by goalie Liam Souliere on Friday as seventh-seeded Notre Dame pulled out a 3-2 victory in Game 1 of the teams’ Big Ten men’s hockey quarterfinals playoff series at 3M Arena at Mariucci. Patrick Donnelly, Twin Cities, 8 Mar. 2025
Verb
Right now, Biden is seeking something — anything — that will cause future generations to view his presidency in a positive light, but nothing can change what will certainly be history’s punishing judgement of Biden’s blundering performance over the last four years. Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 2 Jan. 2025 But the real answer - Bang! Zoom! - is actually a classic comedy called The Life of Riley, which began its one season run on NBC on October 4, 1949 with Jackie Gleason (pre-Ralph Kramden in The Honeymooners) as the blundering family man Chester A. Riley. Marc Berman, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for blunder
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blunder
Noun
  • Piastri, who made a mistake that cost him the win at the Australian GP last week, capitalized on clean air in Shanghai to steadily build his advantage as the race evolved into a strategic battle between one and two-stop strategies.
    Luke Smith, The Athletic, 23 Mar. 2025
  • This makes people more forgiving when leaders make mistakes.
    Tendayi Viki, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Stash everything in your carry-on instead of fumbling at the checkpoint.
    Boutayna Chokrane, WIRED, 18 Mar. 2025
  • In hindsight the idea seems clear, but in the moment, there was a lot of fumbling around.
    Jayson Stewart, IEEE Spectrum, 5 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • With Pochettino watching from the sidelines, the national team stumbled through its second lifeless loss in four days Sunday, falling to Canada 2-1 in the third place game of the CONCACAF Nations League before a tiny, mostly quiet crowd at SoFi Stadium.
    Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2025
  • Warning: Spoilers ahead for Severance Ever since Helly and Mark stumbled upon a room filled with goats in Season 1 of Severance, fans have been wondering why Lumon is raising these animals in their walls.
    Eliana Dockterman, TIME, 21 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Naturally, the usual delays, misunderstandings and errors in communication are all common when Mercury retrogrades, but when in a sign like Aries, these moments are more likely to be louder, bolder and triggering.
    Valerie Mesa, People.com, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Except that is a simplification of what the original dialogue says, and a localization error with big consequences.
    Rafael Motamayor, IndieWire, 15 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Duluth, Minnesota Amid the heatwaves throughout Europe during the summer, trips to Nordic countries offer a way to beat the summer heat of southern Europe.
    Mark Ellwood, AFAR Media, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Family-friendly Offerings Children are welcome at Reindeer Manor, and there are plenty of itineraries to suit young ones, especially during the holiday season, such as reindeer feeding, trips to Santa’s Village, and ski school in Levi.
    Nicole Trilivas, Travel + Leisure, 15 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • During that time, Dave was struggling with his problems.
    Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 23 Mar. 2025
  • Ever since Alcaraz lost that immense Olympic final to Djokovic in August, the Spaniard has generally struggled to find his groove.
    Tim Ellis, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Blunder.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blunder. Accessed 27 Mar. 2025.

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