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
In government bond markets, 10-year gilt yields slipped over the last week and now trade around 4.47%. Ian King, CNBC, 25 June 2025 Rock loves that the liner rim holds it tightly in place, so the bag never slips. Jamie Fischer, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 June 2025
Noun
The outlet reported that while the cause of the slip has not been identified, the peak wind gusts at 36 mph could have been a factor. Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 13 June 2025 Something tells me those wary rascals spotted us and gave us the slip. Percy Brown, Outdoor Life, 12 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for slip
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slip
Verb
  • Cumulative profits at major industrial firms fell 1.1% in the first five months of 2025, compared to a year earlier, the data showed.
    Anniek Bao, CNBC, 27 June 2025
  • In the footage, the wooden wall can be seen falling forward with a thud, while two vertical cables hang behind, apparently slack.
    Jake Kanter, Deadline, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • After seven years of searching the West for the perfect place to call home, Northern California author and wellness practitioner Osha Reader stumbled upon her peaceful High Sierra retreat by chance.
    David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 28 June 2025
  • After making it around the corner of a nearby Taco Bell, Muller appears to stumble, the footage shows.
    Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 28 June 2025
Verb
  • Cane then sneaks up from behind and kills Grady’s men, freeing his father.
    Keith Langston, People.com, 21 June 2025
  • Universal Studios Florida began its iteration of the attraction in 1990, SyFy noted, featuring, of course, a (mechanical) great white shark that snuck up on riders of the boat tour.
    Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • MacBook Pro’s Faster Connectivity Alongside the M5 upgrade offering a 15 to 20 percent uplift in pure performance, another speedy upgrade is lurking inside the spec leaks of the next macOS laptop, namely Wi-Fi 7.
    Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
  • According to police estimates, there are over 450 active gangs, whose memberships total more than 45,000, lurking in Los Angeles alone.
    Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • The case is likely to join a string of recent rulings from the Supreme Court's conservative majority that have unraveled campaign finance limits as violations of the First Amendment, allowing more money to flow into politics.
    June 30, CBS News, 30 June 2025
  • Words of praise flowed over the gathering as she was honored for service and dedication to her congregation and her community.
    Jerry Shnay, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • As the Catholic archdiocese hunts for ways to contract, it’s been shedding churches wholesale and having no trouble finding buyers that are tuned to the doings — or undoing — of religious organizations.
    Justin Davidson, Curbed, 27 June 2025
  • And while the conditions of a homeless person’s life may be alien to many, their deaths shed light on problems that affect everyone using the roads.
    Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • The latex makes this mattress buoyant and responsive, which is critical in keeping your hips from sagging and your lower back will be adequately supported.
    Nora Colomer may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom., FOXNews.com, 27 June 2025
  • For Steve Hill, CEO and President of the city’s tourism board, this downturn is in part seasonal, and a likely response to a sagging economy and government policies that have soured travelers from Canada, Mexico and other big feeder countries on the idea of vacationing in the United States.
    Matt Villano, CNN Money, 25 June 2025
Verb
  • The union had earlier brought up the risks associated with the protective platforms after another visitor tripped over one, causing no damage.
    News Desk, Artforum, 25 June 2025
  • In Death Stranding 2, players control a courier who trips over rocks, experiences sunburn, and faces his own possible obsolescence.
    Simon Parkin, The Atlantic, 23 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Slip.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slip. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

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