as in fumbling
to make a mistake
if you slip up in copying the data, the final result will of course be wrong
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 slipping up
But with more exposure comes more risk of slipping up.
—
Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 15 Apr. 2026
Other people’s opinions, or slipping up and saying the wrong thing?
—Jordan Robinson, SELF, 19 Mar. 2026
Smart’s Bulldogs could now do with the Crimson Tide slipping up to improve their conference prospects, with Texas A&M still out in front as the SEC’s only unbeaten team.
—Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Nov. 2025
The main components have measurement indicators so there’s no chance of slipping up, and the parts can all nest inside the large container for easy storage when you’re done drinking your coffee.
—Mark Marino, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 Aug. 2025
Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 15 Apr. 2026
Other people’s opinions, or slipping up and saying the wrong thing?
—Jordan Robinson, SELF, 19 Mar. 2026
Smart’s Bulldogs could now do with the Crimson Tide slipping up to improve their conference prospects, with Texas A&M still out in front as the SEC’s only unbeaten team.
—Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Nov. 2025
The main components have measurement indicators so there’s no chance of slipping up, and the parts can all nest inside the large container for easy storage when you’re done drinking your coffee.
—Mark Marino, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slipping up
Verb
-
With the title in their grasp, the Ducks have greased up their fingers, fumbling into a four-game winless slump.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Last season’s Detroit Tigers endured the worst divisional collapse in history, fumbling an AL Central lead that reached 15 1/2 games in July.—
Cody Stavenhagen,
New York Times,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Lina cried out, stumbling backward.—
Danielle Parker,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Unlike the blue plaques affixed to residences in London, which indicate where notable figures once lived, or the Stolpersteine (or stumbling stones) embedded in the sidewalks of German cities to mark the former homes of Holocaust victims, Bucharest’s red disks are not commemorative but predictive.—
Rebecca Mead,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
These days, revivals that just manage to come and go without screwing up are seen as, if not a success, than an acceptable effort.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
10 Apr. 2026
-
First of all, don’t hide misdeeds and screwups, which comes naturally by not committing misdeeds and not screwing up.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Johnston was whistled for tripping Matt Boldy in the final minute of the first, and the Wild power play needed just seconds to give them their first lead.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
10 Apr. 2026
-
While tripping with the foot is not allowed, an ankle tap, which is performed with the hand, is considered a tackle and is permissible.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
8 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Slipping up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slipping%20up. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
