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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 In Wisconsin, the court of appeals is the middle step before the state Supreme Court and aims to correct errors at the circuit court level. Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 1 Oct. 2025 Under the dynamic trajectory, tracking errors increased as expected, but the robot retained stability and followed the overall shape of the path. Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2025 Google ha cometido un lamentable error fácilmente reversible y siempre estamos dispuestos a encontrar maneras constructivas para que los hispanos recuperen el acceso al contenido de Univision que es para ellos confiable y esencial. Todd Spangler, Variety, 1 Oct. 2025 This allowed Sparxell to trial-and-error the process—identifying practical limitations and refining formulations iteratively. Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 1 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for error
Recent Examples of Synonyms for error
Noun
  • Steelers, Saints, Cardinals Sam Darnold was nearly perfect (28-of-34 passing for 341 yards and four touchdowns), but his one mistake was a costly interception late that set up the Bucs’ winning field goal.
    Chad Graff, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Mahomes methodically pushed the offense to Jacksonville’s goal line before making what was a game-changing mistake.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 7 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Users who spend hours talking to the bot report being led to various delusions.
    Gili Malinsky, CNBC, 6 Oct. 2025
  • For a second-year Housewife, she’s committed to the performance art of delusion.
    Shelby Stewart, Essence, 4 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Base running blunder The Tigers had a great chance to put together a big inning in the second, after Trey Sweeney hit a sacrifice fly, knocking in a run.
    Ryan Ford, Freep.com, 6 Oct. 2025
  • That blunder came one series after Slayton had a brutal drop on a 50-yard bomb from Dart that would have put the ball inside the Saints’ 20-yard line.
    Dan Duggan, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Another major violation would be improper cooling.
    Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Adav Noti, a former FEC general counsel and now executive director of the Campaign Legal Center, says even with a quorum, the commission has historically done very little to regulate campaign finance violations.
    Ashley Lopez, NPR, 4 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Inter basin transfers created the illusion of abundance.
    Nik Kowsar, Time, 2 Oct. 2025
  • In the 21st century, the moral entrepreneurs include media personalities and social influencers as well as the nonhuman bots and algorithms whose authority is derived by constructing the illusion of broad consensus.
    Ron Barrett, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Tennessee law holds that those who committed crimes before 1999 can choose between being put to death by lethal injection or the electric chair.
    Evan Mealins, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Oct. 2025
  • The office's programming extends to other areas as well, including domestic violence, human trafficking and interacting with victims of crimes.
    David Clarey, jsonline.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The real loss, at the altar of a warped vision of masculinity, is courage and skill, sacrificed so that a few good men can go on measuring themselves against their own hollow myth of toughness.
    Arman Khan, Them., 3 Oct. 2025
  • And, in the process, the trio of ’70s babies punctured the myth that rap is a young man’s sport.
    Michael Saponara, Billboard, 2 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The brothers grew up in a household ruled by their mother’s preachings about the sins of lust and carnal desire, per the outlet, which also reports that their father was an alcoholic.
    Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 6 Oct. 2025
  • This also ensures the bacon drippings don’t go to waste, which is a serious Southern sin.
    Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 3 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Error.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/error. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on error

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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