erring 1 of 2

adjective

as in errant

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erring

2 of 2

verb

present participle of err
1
as in stumbling
to make a mistake we badly erred when we calculated the driving distance

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in trespassing
to commit an offense when we err, we must be willing to accept the consequences

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 erring
Verb
The uncertainty means that many shipowners are still erring on the side of caution, so movement through the strait is more of a trickle than a rush. — Mithil Aggarwal, NBC news, 25 June 2026 That’s T’Vondre Sweat, the Jets’ 366-pound defensive tackle — and 366 might be erring on the lighter side of his true weight. — Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 19 June 2026 Hints of light toffee and honey tones give this espresso-brown base a more dimensional and lively look without erring on too much contrast. — Kara Jillian Brown, InStyle, 2 June 2026 Somewhere along the way, pot roast has picked up a reputation for erring on the dry or flavorless side. — Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Apr. 2026 Welch grew privately concerned that Biden was too old to run again and, later, that Harris was erring by running to the middle. — Rachel Monroe, Washington Post, 7 Feb. 2026 Finding words with mass awareness and appeal — which don’t succumb to greenwashing by erring on the vague side — can be difficult, adds Elizabeth Richman, who leads the sustainability strategy at Eileen Fisher in her role as general counsel. — Bella Webb, Vogue, 30 Oct. 2025 As such, there are certain similarities with erring politicians who some believe become undone by a mixture of various traits that tends not to exist in the wider population. — Roger Trapp, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for erring
  1. errant
  2. stumbling
  3. trespassing
  4. unscrupulous
  5. fumbling
  6. wandering
  7. fallen
  8. tripping
Adjective
  • Moore had a bloop RBI double in the bottom of the fifth and scored on an errant pickoff throw to second by Michael Fulmer.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • During the same possession, the 6-foot, 280-pound Harris — who also plays on the Trojans’ offensive line — flashed for a quarterback pressure, forcing an errant pass.
    — Michael Osipoff, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of errant
Verb
  • Unlike other festivals, where audiences can be more forgiving, stumbling out of the gate at Venice can prove impossible for a contender to recover from.
    — Nate Jones, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Analysis from Zeki Data shows that where OpenAI and Anthropic are making gains in the AI talent market, Google DeepMind (and to some extent Meta) are stumbling.
    — Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of stumbling
Verb
  • The Tohono O’odham Nation said that even if construction were contained to the Roosevelt Reservation, driving onto tribal land to access the area still constitutes trespassing.
    — Mikella Schuettler, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The Tohono O'odham Nation said that even if construction were contained to the Roosevelt Reservation, driving onto tribal land to access the area still constitutes trespassing.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of trespassing
Adjective
  • Fortune reported on the tactic a decade ago, when fraud accounted for roughly one in 10 cargo thefts, and food was the most attractive target, since it can be resold through unscrupulous distributors with no serial numbers to trace.
    — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Lawrence Kasdan’s directorial debut is an erotic neo-noir thriller starring Kathleen Turner as the beguiling femme fatale Matty alongside William Hurt as an unscrupulous lawyer, Ned.
    — Air Mail, Air Mail, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of unscrupulous
Verb
  • The Packers’ offense left the field, but came back after it was ruled that Watson was down before fumbling.
    — Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Here was his senior running back, who scored a 44-yard touchdown in their state championship win months earlier, fumbling on the very first play of the Blue-White scrimmage.
    — Kevin Fishbain, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of fumbling
Verb
  • The announcement comes after video circulated online of Knight at recent performances, including a July 25 gig at the Hollywood Bowl, wandering around the stage, turning her back to the audience, and not singing on cue.
    — Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 28 Aug. 2026
  • But more recently, cell phone videos taken by audience members at Knight performances, including one from a July 25 Hollywood Bowl concert, show the singer wandering the stage, her back to the audience and seeming to miss singing cues.
    — Greg Evans, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of wandering
Adjective
  • So it’s supposed to be the narration of a fallen soldier, like the guy who’s actually dying.
    — Charles Moss, SPIN, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Compost Fallen Leaves Instead of mowing, consider raking the fallen leaves into a compost pile.
    — SJ McShane, Martha Stewart, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of fallen
Verb
  • The nearly two-minute spot depicts a club-wielding bureaucrat chasing and tripping a child on a bike and another stealing a boy’s scooter.
    — Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The boy was outside by himself for a total of nine minutes and had fallen into the pool after tripping over an inflatable chair, the report added.
    — Jose R. Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of tripping

Browse Nearby Words

erred
erring
erroneous
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Cite this Entry

“Erring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/erring. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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