ERROR Synonyms: 138 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'error' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of error are blunder , lapse , mistake , and slip . While all these words mean "a departure from what is true, right, or proper," 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

Q: When would 'blunder' be a good substitute for 'error'?

While the synonyms blunder and error are close in meaning, blunder regularly imputes stupidity or ignorance as a cause and connotes some degree of blame. // diplomatic blunders

Q: When can 'lapse' be used instead of 'error'?

The words lapse and error are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, lapse stresses forgetfulness, weakness, or inattention as a cause. // a lapse in judgment

Q: When is it sensible to use 'mistake' instead of 'error'?

In some situations, the words mistake and error are roughly equivalent. However, mistake implies misconception or inadvertence and usually expresses less criticism than error . // dialed the wrong number by mistake

Q: When could 'slip' be used to replace 'error'?

Although the words slip and error have much in common, slip stresses inadvertence or accident and applies especially to trivial but embarrassing mistakes. // a slip of the tongue

error

noun

ˈer-ər

Definition of error

as in mistake

an unintentional departure from truth or accuracy a report on the earthquake contained several unfortunate errors

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in violation

a breaking of a moral or legal code we have all committed errors in our lives and strayed from the path of righteousness

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in delusion

a false idea or belief the story only spread the error by repeating the misinterpreted statistics

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

truth
verity

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun error differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of error are blunder, lapse, mistake, and slip. While all these words mean "a departure from what is true, right, or proper," 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

When would blunder be a good substitute for error?

While the synonyms blunder and error are close in meaning, blunder regularly imputes stupidity or ignorance as a cause and connotes some degree of blame.

diplomatic blunders

When can lapse be used instead of error?

The words lapse and error are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, lapse stresses forgetfulness, weakness, or inattention as a cause.

a lapse in judgment

When is it sensible to use mistake instead of error?

In some situations, the words mistake and error are roughly equivalent. However, mistake implies misconception or inadvertence and usually expresses less criticism than error.

dialed the wrong number by mistake

When could slip be used to replace error?

Although the words slip and error have much in common, slip stresses inadvertence or accident and applies especially to trivial but embarrassing mistakes.

a slip of the tongue

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 error The gap between sixth and 12th is only five points, so there is little room for error with only nine league games remaining. — Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Sep. 2026 McDonald believes those types of errors can be cleaned up quickly. — Taylor Eldridge, Kansas City Star, 18 Sep. 2026 The North Koreans will then trick victims to install the malware under the guise of completing a computer coding test or troubleshooting an error in an online video call. — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 18 Sep. 2026 Test the same message across formats—headline versus support email versus error copy. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for error

Recent Examples of Synonyms for error

Noun

Well, his speed off the edge can cause a quarterback to make mistakes — the kind of game-changing mistakes from which the Chiefs did not benefit a year ago.

— Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 7 Sep. 2026
In a work so dense with references, mistakes will sprout like crabgrass; write a big book on André Le Nôtre’s formal gardens and the earthworm experts will gather to deride your confusion.

— Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of mistake

Noun

Under Arkansas law, anyone selling alcohol on a Sunday without a permit can be found guilty of a violation fined up to $250.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 9 Sep. 2026
Both men were denied parole last year, in part because of their use of contraband cellphones and other violations of prison rules.

— James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of violation

Noun

Symptoms, which can take up to two months to develop, may include headache, nausea and sore throat before progressing to hallucinations, delusions, disorientation, paralysis and coma.

— Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026
Smaller numbers reported experiencing delusions, hallucinations, physical pain, rage, and suicidality.

— Olga Khazan, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of delusion

Noun

There were mighty blunders off the field too under Jarmond, including an email that went out to donors that came with an attachment revealing personal information and spending tallies of the department’s biggest donors.

— Mirjam Swanson, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Common Mistakes When Cleaning Earbuds Take special care to avoid damaging your earbuds by avoiding these common blunders.

— Emily Hayes, Martha Stewart, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of blunder

Noun

Anti-immigrant marches and vigilante groups have driven a wave of social upheaval in South Africa this year, often blaming foreign migrants for the country's high crime rate.

— Rael Ombuor The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 19 Sep. 2026
The poll also showed that crime did not crack the top five most important issues.

— Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of crime

Noun

The secret behind the Miramar jean is Rag & Bone’s signature printing technique, which creates a shockingly convincing denim illusion on soft terry cloth.

— Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 18 Sep. 2026
The effect created the illusion of two ships, leaving the enemy unsure which one to target.

— Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of illusion

Noun

So lets unpack all the sins and consequences, starting with those tied to the case John just closed.

— Ben Travers, IndieWire, 13 Sep. 2026
Some Jews may pray near a body of water in a Tashlich ceremony, tossing pieces of bread or other food into the water to symbolize sending off sins.

— Bailey Allen, The Providence Journal, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of sin

Articles Related to error

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“Error.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/error. Accessed 20 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of error

noun

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