Synonyms of blunder

blunder 1 of 2

noun

as in mistake

an unintentional departure from truth or accuracy

fixed a minor blunder in the advertising flyer

Synonyms & Similar Words

• mistake
• error
• gaffe
• misstep
• miscue
• flub
• inaccuracy
• fumble
• stumble
• trip
• screwup
• goof
• brick
• gaff
• slipup
• fault
• lapse
• bobble
• clanger
• slip
• boob
• oversight
• fluff
• clinker
• boo-boo
• blooper
• pratfall
• misunderstanding
• howler
• snafu
• misjudgment
• miscalculation
• misstatement
• bloomer
• misinterpretation
• misreading
• misconception
• misconstruction
• boner
• foul-up
• miscomprehension
• misapprehension
• misdescription
• misimpression

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• precision
• accuracy
• correctness
• exactness
• exactitude
• strictness
• perfection
• preciseness
• infallibility
• inerrancy

blunder

2 of 2

verb

ˈblən-dər 

1

as in to fumble

to make a mistake

even though the prosecution had blundered several times in presenting its case, it ultimately prevailed

Synonyms & Similar Words

• fumble
• stumble
• trip
• mistake
• flub
• err
• slip up
• screw up
• goof (up)
• foul up
• drop the ball
• lay an egg
• fluff
• nod
• misunderstand
• boob
• louse up
• mess (up)
• bungle
• botch
• murder
• misjudge
• miscalculate
• butcher
• misconceive
• muff
• mangle
• miscue
• misconstrue
• mishandle
• misinterpret
• miscount
• bobble
• foozle
• misdeem
• misgauge

2

as in to stumble

to proceed or act clumsily or ineffectually

blundered his way through an acceptance speech

Synonyms & Similar Words

• stumble
• struggle
• shuffle
• flounder
• limp
• fumble
• trudge
• lurch
• bumble
• jog
• plod
• falter
• lumber
• reel
• sway
• flog
• muddle
• shamble
• stagger
• wallow
• totter
• welter
• teeter

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• coast
• fly
• sail
• glide
• zoom
• zip
• kilt

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

Recent Examples of blunder

Noun

Holding her tongue is not Kate’s forte in general, and the severity of Todd’s avalanche of blunders in their meeting with the British foreign secretary tests the outer limits of her ability. — Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2026

Nevertheless, Muse’s early days were filled with security and privacy blunders. — Adam Clark Estes, Vox, 16 Oct. 2026

Verb

The Team Penske star just needed a moment to vent on his team radio about a pit crew blunder before charging from 17th to first for his second consecutive NASCAR Cup Series win at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. — ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026

Coincidentally, Johnson found himself in the doghouse last year after a special-teams blunder, while Homer is an ace on those units. — Mike Defabo, New York Times, 21 July 2026