slip 1 of 3

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as in to sneak
to introduce in a gradual, secret, or clever way casually slipped it into the conversation

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in to lurk
to move about in a sly or secret manner slipped behind the cover of the trees

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in to shed
to cast (a natural bodily covering or appendage) aside periodically crabs slip their shells and grow new ones

Synonyms & Similar Words

slip

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noun (1)

as in strip
a long narrow piece of material baskets woven from slips of wicker

Synonyms & Similar Words

slip

3 of 3

noun (2)

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as in fall
the act of going down from an upright position suddenly and involuntarily had a nasty slip on the ice

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun slip differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of slip are blunder, error, lapse, and mistake. While all these words mean "a departure from what is true, right, or proper," slip stresses inadvertence or accident and applies especially to trivial but embarrassing mistakes.

a slip of the tongue

When is it sensible to use blunder instead of slip?

The meanings of blunder and slip largely overlap; however, blunder regularly imputes stupidity or ignorance as a cause and connotes some degree of blame.

diplomatic blunders

When is error a more appropriate choice than slip?

In some situations, the words error and slip are roughly equivalent. However, 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 lapse be a good substitute for slip?

The synonyms lapse and slip are sometimes interchangeable, but lapse stresses forgetfulness, weakness, or inattention as a cause.

a lapse in judgment

When can mistake be used instead of slip?

The words mistake and slip are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, mistake implies misconception or inadvertence and usually expresses less criticism than error.

dialed the wrong number by mistake

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 slip
Verb
Tokyo's Nikkei 225 jumped 1.9%, while stocks in Shanghai slipped 0.1%. Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 25 Apr. 2025 The only ranking where the track slips is the Official Singles Sales chart. Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Noun
It’s designed with an exterior front zip pocket plus an interior zip pocket and back slip pocket to keep things like your phone, wallet, etc. neat and organized. Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 11 Apr. 2025 This one is crafted in Saffiano leather with contrasting gold-tone hardware, a top-zip closure, an interior slip pocket, and an adjustable strap. Jamie Allison Sanders, People.com, 11 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for slip
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slip
Verb
  • Rising bond yields Yields on 10-year Treasury bonds typically fall – and their prices rise - as investors flee stocks for the safe haven of Treasuries during economic slowdowns.
    Paul Davidson, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025
  • For hitters as young as the Orioles’, falling behind early night after night might be even more demoralizing.
    Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • How did the world’s two largest economies stumble toward a trade war that neither truly seeks and which the rest of the world can’t afford?
    Zongyuan Zoe Liu, Foreign Affairs, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Eleni wasn't the only one who stumbled across the sale.
    Michelle Lee, People.com, 28 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Two assailants sneaked into a camp of workers building the Z-Morh tunnel (an important highway project) and opened fire at the laborers and engineers.
    Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025
  • Brentford are sneaking up on the rails, a further two points adrift of Hurzeler’s side.
    Andy Naylor, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Discovering your purpose doesn’t have to be complicated or grand, especially with the right guidance to help you to find what’s already lurking inside of you.
    Chris Westfall, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
  • Your provider can carefully examine your eye under a microscope and flip your lid up to safely fish out any contact lens or piece of a lens that might be lurking therein.
    Amy Marturana Winderl, SELF, 30 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • It could be said that mainstream media flows best with a good publisher, so maybe Journalism and Publisher will run in tandem for a bettor’s exacta.
    Jason Jones, New York Times, 1 May 2025
  • At the Big Ass Stadium Tour kick off, Post Malone and Jelly Roll kept the anthems and beer flowing for 3 ½ hours at Rice-Eccles Stadium on April 29.
    Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 1 May 2025
Verb
  • Silver buttercups, cow parsley and strawberry leaves fill a vase, while branches of apple blossom and Scots pine shed petals and pines, like a Dutch still life in precious metal.
    Kate Matthams, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
  • In Elijah Arroyo — one of Ward’s favorite targets last year at Miami — Darnold gains a downfield weapon who can threaten defenses vertically and shed tacklers after the catch.
    Zak Keefer, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Consumer confidence is sagging as shoppers are fatigued by inflation and the impact of tariffs.
    Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 1 May 2025
  • The continued flouting of production quotas could keep oil prices sagging, even after US President Donald Trump signalled a potential U-turn on his trade war with China.
    Amy Gunia, CNN Money, 28 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Declan Rice tripped him from behind to earn a yellow card.
    Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2025
  • For the listener, the journey is both thrilling and desultory, like hanging out sober while your friend trips on mushrooms.
    Carrie Brownstein, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Slip.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slip. Accessed 5 May. 2025.

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