Synonyms of erring

erring 1 of 2

adjective

as in errant

Related Words

• errant
• unscrupulous
• fallen
• unprincipled
• improper
• incorrect
• naughty
• unseemly
• unbecoming
• indecent
• indecorous
• condemned
• vulgar
• miserable
• lousy
• execrable
• wretched
• dishonest
• disallowed
• barred
• forbidden
• unauthorized
• prohibited
• dishonorable
• discouraged
• corrupt
• pernicious
• cursed
• illegal
• unclean
• proscribed
• dissolute
• ugly
• ungodly
• perverted
• pestilential
• unwholesome
• depraved
• sick
• cussed
• loose
• interdicted
• degenerate
• noxious
• libertine
• debauched
• debased
• blameworthy
• objectionable
• outlawed
• censurable
• scrofulous
• unhealthy
• offensive
• cruel
• blamable
• reprehensible
• banned
• reprobate
• obscene
• defiling
• low-minded
• infamous
• atrocious
• nasty

Dissimilar Words

• right
• moral
• virtuous
• good
• honest
• ethical
• upright
• righteous
• honorable
• scrupulous
• high
• just
• decent
• sublime
• noble
• legitimate
• principled
• lofty
• reputable
• legal
• permitted
• elevated
• permissible
• authorized
• correct
• licensed
• proper
• endorsed
• allowed
• approved
• high-minded
• sanctioned
• supported
• exemplary
• promoted
• decent
• clean
• innocent
• encouraged
• law-abiding
• white
• blameless
• guiltless
• decorous
• pure
• commendable
• seemly
• perfect
• creditable
• worthy
• chaste
• unerring
• venerable
• wholesome
• incorruptible
• irreproachable
• uncorrupted
• respected
• esteemed
• abetted
• unobjectionable
• inoffensive
• immaculate
• spotless
• unfallen
• squeaky-clean
• lily-white
• upstanding

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

• stumbling
• fumbling
• tripping
• blundering
• mistaking
• nodding
• slipping up
• fluffing
• misunderstanding
• dropping the ball
• goofing (up)
• flubbing
• screwing up
• laying an egg
• messing (up)
• fouling up
• boobing
• lousing up
• murdering
• bungling
• misjudging
• mangling
• misconceiving
• miscalculating
• botching
• misconstruing
• miscounting
• butchering
• mishandling
• muffing
• misinterpreting
• bobbling
• foozling
• miscuing
• misdeeming
• misgauging

2

as in trespassing

to commit an offense

when we err, we must be willing to accept the consequences

Synonyms & Similar Words

• trespassing
• wandering
• falling
• straying
• sinning
• offending
• transgressing
• violating
• breaking the law
• falling from grace
• breaching
• infringing
• backsliding
• lapsing
• breaking
• messing up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• justifying
• forgiving
• pardoning
• regretting
• repenting
• ruing

Example Sentences

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