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
• fumble
• flub
• stumble
• inaccuracy
• trip
• screwup
• goof
• brick
• gaff
• fault
• slipup
• 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

Discovering that Seward was crafting plans, Sumner grew anxious: Seward might rashly steer the North into a major foreign policy blunder. —Zaakir Tameez june 11, Literary Hub, 11 June 2025

The candidates generally avoided any major blunders, outlined some of their policy proposals and got in a few solid attacks on their opponents. —Jared Gans, The Hill, 5 June 2025

Verb

Gene and Wendell wouldn’t start to look for me until dark, and this bear was nothing to blunder into at night. —Howard Copenhaver, Outdoor Life, 23 Apr. 2025

From this starting point, a global recession was a very low probability, but the Trump administration has blundered into one. —Mike O'Sullivan, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025