as in errant
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Dissimilar Words
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
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Recent Examples of erring
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
As when Djokovic pummelled the ball into Sinner’s forehand in their Australian Open semifinal, his timing on that wing was this week susceptible to erring.
—James Hansen, New York Times, 20 Feb. 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
Verb
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
As when Djokovic pummelled the ball into Sinner’s forehand in their Australian Open semifinal, his timing on that wing was this week susceptible to erring.
—James Hansen, New York Times, 20 Feb. 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
Adjective
-
With the Spurs up by a point, Hart came away with an errant pass by Fox and had a clear path to the basket.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
11 June 2026
-
The Raiders kept the momentum firing in the bottom of the inning, cutting the deficit to two after Clements reached on an error, stole second, advanced to third on a groundout and scored after an errant throw following the groundout.—
Jack Murray,
Boston Herald,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
Bryan’s stumbling responses, under questioning from the legendary defense lawyer Clarence Darrow, left him humiliated.—
Michael Luo,
New Yorker,
14 June 2026
-
Before smartphones and social media, tracking it down (or stumbling upon it) was like uncovering a local secret.—
Skye Sherman,
Southern Living,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
Kaufmyn was found guilty of interfering with a business, trespassing with intent to interfere with a business, unlawful assembly and refusal to disburse at a riot.—
Tim Fang,
CBS News,
10 June 2026
-
As if breaking the law would offer a symbolic release from this double bind, the third video documents Liden trespassing into the apartment of an anonymous hoarder.—
Erika Landström,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
Adjective
-
Indeed, once the former’s economic situation forces them to withdraw from hosting duties just four years before kickoff, the opportunist pulls out every unscrupulous trick in the book to thwart the rival bids from, ironically, Canada and USA.—
Jon O'Brien,
Vulture,
10 June 2026
-
Some unscrupulous mortgage loan originator might want to push the borrower toward FHA financing.—
Jeff Lazerson,
Oc Register,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
Trump said, fumbling for words.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 June 2026
-
But then again, neither is the Bears fumbling and bumbling.—
Jon Greenberg,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
Verb
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The mother and grandmother of a 2-year-old girl were arrested in San Antonio, Texas, after the toddler was found wandering the woods barefoot and alone early Friday morning.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 Dec. 2025
-
Photos taken earlier this year showed several dogs with bright blue fur wandering the site of the 1986 nuclear disaster in Ukraine, fueling widespread speculation online, including theories of radiation exposure and mutations.—
Sophia Compton,
FOXNews.com,
8 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
The air smelled of rich earth and fallen plums.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
11 Dec. 2025
-
The nonprofit organization supports families of fallen NYC first responders.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
9 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Wallstedt was whistled for tripping on the play — the second penalty of his NHL career.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
7 Dec. 2025
-
In recent years, as robots have become increasingly sophisticated, their makers have gone from kicking them to shoving them, tripping them, and even hitting them with folding chairs.—
James Vincent,
Harpers Magazine,
23 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Erring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/erring. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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