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
-
Then, an errant throw by Baltimore right fielder Tyler O’Neill allowed Ryan Ward to score and seal the Dodgers’ 6-5 win over the Orioles.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
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In November 2008 an errant air strike, conducted under auspices of a lame-duck Bush administration, killed 37 civilians who were at a wedding party in Wech Baghtu, Afghanistan.—
Ta-Nehisi Coates,
Vanity Fair,
15 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
-
The Grimm Brothers fairy tale follows a pair of famished siblings who get lost in the woods and entrapped by a child-eating witch, after stumbling upon her cottage made of candy.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
13 June 2026
Verb
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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
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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
-
The main shell is then salvaged, with the most valuable parts sold by unscrupulous vendors to repair shops and consumers, often via the Internet.—
Jim Gorzelany,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
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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
Verb
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My first few hours with the EM11 NL were marked by overshooting links, fumbling through simple selections, and occasionally wondering why anyone would voluntarily use a vertical mouse.—
Sascha Brodsky,
PC Magazine,
21 June 2026
-
Bennett is concerned, for instance, that Hong could win her primary and then be defeated in November by Republican Tom Tiffany, fumbling the governorship of a swing state into the hands of a far-right Freedom Caucus member who dabbled in 2020 election conspiracy theories.—
Will Lennon,
ABC News,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
My favorite part of my trip to Omaha, Nebraska, for the College World Series left me wandering in the middle of the night somewhere between the ballpark and my hotel.—
Ken Sugiura,
AJC.com,
20 June 2026
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Police in Holly, Michigan, say an 18-month-old boy who was seen wandering on a Ring camera on Friday has been identified and located.—
DeJanay Booth-Singleton,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
Adjective
-
Contacted by Deadline, the fallen mini-mogul’s reps had no comment on his new release date.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
16 June 2026
-
The Moab community, where Lewis was well known, mourned a fallen athletic hero.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
16 June 2026
Verb
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Australia's Alessandro Circati was given a yellow card after tripping USA's Malik Tillman on the field.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
20 June 2026
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The ban prohibits any item that could obstruct lifeguard views, overcrowd the beach, create tripping hazards, or hinder emergency responders.—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
18 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Erring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/erring. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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