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

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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
Eleven minutes into the June 27 presidential debate, CNN anchor Dana Bash slipped a note to her colleague Jake Tapper after President Biden gave a rambling, incoherent answer. Stephen Battaglio, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2025 For the week ending May 18, about 14 shows that were in the running for nominations reported box office slips, however small, from the previous week. Greg Evans, Deadline, 20 May 2025
Noun
The psychologist also suggests creating a ‘Mom Spa Day Kit’ with cozy socks, a face mask, relaxing tea, playlist and handwritten permission slip to do nothing. Anna Haines, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025 Take after the actress by pairing it with a leather jacket, or copy reviewers by styling it with slip skirts, leggings, or jeans. Averi Baudler, People.com, 8 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for slip
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slip
Verb
  • More: Stocks fall, Dow down 800 points as bonds tank amid tax debate.
    Riley Beggin, USA Today, 23 May 2025
  • The wolf howl is as savage and lonely a sound as ever fell on human ears (the howl of a Husky sled dog is almost identical).
    Ted Updike, Outdoor Life, 22 May 2025
Verb
  • Meanwhile, the only truly happy artist in Ira’s friend group — played to uproarious perfection by Stanley Tucci — isn’t even much of an artist at all but a shameless name-dropper who seems to stumble into constant success without even trying.
    Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 9 May 2025
  • Still, many times, most seasoned and skilled leaders stumble from time to time.
    Phil Portman, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
Verb
  • On Tuesday, Leo sneaked into the headquarters of his Augustinian order right off St. Peter’s Square.
    Mitra Taj, New York Times, 17 May 2025
  • For her first single after that triumph to only just sneak onto the Country Airplay ranking — and in last place — indicates a substantial and sustained promotional push behind the scenes.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • Mars will appear in the constellation Cancer in the western sky, while Jupiter will lurk close to the horizon, setting just a few hours after the sun.
    Anthony Wood, Space.com, 13 May 2025
  • Probably not as many as are lurking on your medicine cabinet shelves.
    Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 May 2025
Verb
  • Swonk said the good news about the deal is that trade will flow again.
    Obed Manuel, NPR, 13 May 2025
  • This will not only provide faster throughput performance, but will also help reduce latency and allow data to flow unimpeded by network traffic or interference.
    Iyaz Akhtar, PC Magazine, 13 May 2025
Verb
  • Bush Hager also shed light on what her mother, Laura Bush, is like with her dad.
    Starr Bowenbank, People.com, 22 May 2025
  • The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite, which had turned positive in the late morning, shed 191 points, or 1%, to touch 18,952.
    Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 22 May 2025
Verb
  • While Donald Trump’s return sparked surges early in the year, including brief all-time highs across major tokens, prices have largely sagged.
    Catherine Baab, Quartz, 9 May 2025
  • Even when his overall approval ratings sagged, voters consistently gave him his highest marks on the economy.
    Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
Verb
  • Pulliam saw the coyote emerge from the nearby woods and tried to distract it by throwing rocks, but tripped in the process.
    Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 20 May 2025
  • The novelty of seeing string puppet rockers spin and levitate, often tripping and tumbling in stride to the delight of the audience, never gets old.
    Jeff Spry, Space.com, 17 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Slip.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slip. Accessed 25 May. 2025.

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