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

Relevance

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 framework automatically identifies errors, creates new training data, and uses that information to improve the model. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 18 July 2026 Against Argentina, though, soccer pundits say that coach Thomas Tuchel made some tactical errors that led to their defeat. — Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 18 July 2026 Both changes are within the poll's margin of error, but are consistent with other recent polls on the president's standing. — Garrett Downs, CNBC, 17 July 2026 These errors become difficult to detect because they are embedded within otherwise coherent text. — Beth Worthy, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for error

Recent Examples of Synonyms for error

Noun

Others don’t look great now — parting with Rosario for Eli Morgan almost immediately went wrong and losing Cruz in the Michael Soroka deal looks like a mistake.

— Sahadev Sharma, New York Times, 20 July 2026
Continue reading … 'MASSIVE' — Hunter Biden blasts Merrick Garland's DOJ the 'greatest mistake' under Biden.

— , FOXNews.com, 20 July 2026

Definition of mistake

Noun

On June 27, 2026, at Trinity Pride Fest in Fort Worth, Texas, street preachers Richard Penkoski and David Grisham were subjected to multiple violations of their First Amendment rights while attempting to preach on public property.

— Emily Holshouser, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026
However, Pregen said city inspectors later signed an affidavit of compliance certifying Martinez had corrected the violations roughly two months ago.

— Larry Seward, CBS News, 14 July 2026

Definition of violation

Noun

Arabella feeds this delusion by picking up on the vibe, reading the grown-up’s nametag, and insisting that her name is Holly too.

— David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 17 July 2026
That volatility mirrors the album’s overall mood and thematic POV; TOY COLLAGES feels like one big, bad trip, Dean careening through the existential delusions of those around them before turning toward their own.

— Cassidy Sollazzo, Pitchfork, 13 July 2026

Definition of delusion

Noun

Nothing makes this part of the chase memorable or important enough to merit a flash-forward, which turns it into a deflating blunder in a series that can’t afford to slow down.

— Ben Travers, IndieWire, 15 July 2026
And while that may sound like little more than a comic blunder, these slips offer one of the clearest windows into how language is assembled in the mind.

— Karen Stollznow, The Conversation, 14 July 2026

Definition of blunder

Noun

In the neo-noir crime thriller, Cole (Dane DeHaan) is a thief who makes a living hacking people's bank accounts from his car.

— Brian Truitt, USA Today, 17 July 2026
But what does that do to the right of anyone else to say he indeed was arrested and convicted of a crime?

— Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 17 July 2026

Definition of crime

Noun

The big mic drop at the conclusion of the finale turns out that Paula is a stone-cold (if possibly accidental) killer after all, and that the shadowy Souter Group is going to make her pay for her sins.

— Erin Qualey, Vulture, 15 July 2026
Mary’s valley of sin was exalted and Simon’s mountain of pride was made low through the love of God.

— Eric Bashor, Christian Science Monitor, 13 July 2026

Definition of sin

Noun

In all likelihood, the legends of those battles, passed down through song, grew into myth, hence how the character of Odysseus was probably born.

— Eliana Dockterman, Time, 17 July 2026
The filmmaker who has spent his career defending the theatrical experience adapts one of literature’s foundational myths on an enormous scale.

— Clayton Davis, Variety, 17 July 2026

Definition of myth

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“Error.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/error. Accessed 22 Jul. 2026.

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