slips 1 of 3

present tense third-person singular of slip
1
2
3
as in sneaks
to introduce in a gradual, secret, or clever way casually slipped it into the conversation

Synonyms & Similar Words

4
5
6
as in sheds
to cast (a natural bodily covering or appendage) aside periodically crabs slip their shells and grow new ones

Synonyms & Similar Words

slips

2 of 3

noun (1)

plural of slip
as in strips
a long narrow piece of material baskets woven from slips of wicker

Synonyms & Similar Words

slips

3 of 3

noun (2)

plural of slip
1
2
as in spills
the act of going down from an upright position suddenly and involuntarily had a nasty slip on the ice

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
4

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 slips
Verb
Later this evening, however, the moon slips into the meticulous and methodical sign of Virgo, which, in turn, grounds the atmosphere. Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 16 July 2026 By night, people drift toward the beach, dinner tables fill, and music slips through the air. Rafael Peña, Miami Herald, 15 July 2026 The voice—that silky alto that slips easily between genres and moods—is what seems to draw people in first, famous fans included. Riann Phillip, Vogue, 15 July 2026 From the harbor at Piraeus to a Catalan market the chefs swear by, Oceania Allura slips into places the megaships can't—and lingers long enough to matter. Condé Nast Traveler, 15 July 2026 Barcola slips after losing his starting spot on France’s left flank to Doue, who appears a better choice against low block defences. Liam Twomey, New York Times, 13 July 2026 The dress slips on and has no zippers or buttons for a crisp, clean look. Kaitlin Gates, Travel + Leisure, 12 July 2026 Zverev slips The top two seeds appeared perfectly matched until Zverev earned his first break point of the match at 3-3 in the third set — 2 hours and 42 minutes in. Andrew Dampf, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2026 Zverev slips The top two seeds appeared perfectly matched until Zverev earned his only break point of the match at 3-3 in the third set — 2 hours and 42 minutes in. Andrew Dampf, Chicago Tribune, 12 July 2026
Noun
La Roja will dominate the game, attempting to pass Argentina to death and looking to capitalize on any slips of concentration. Ben Church, CNN Money, 16 July 2026 Matheson Hammock Marina has hundreds of applicants waiting for popular slips, with some applications dating back more than a decade. Sofia Baltodano, Miami Herald, 15 July 2026 Modern psycholinguists are generally more cautious, arguing that most slips of the tongue don’t require deep psychological interpretation. Karen Stollznow, The Conversation, 14 July 2026 Pajama sets, nightgowns and slips are all hung on delicate curving racks in the center of the room. Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 13 July 2026 The job is not just knowing the product or having the right answer, but being the person someone calls when something breaks or a deadline slips. Jeremy Fain, Fortune, 1 July 2026 Sure enough, Day 1 of Wimbledon was defined to some extent by the slips — and those players who got away with them, and those who didn’t. Ava Wallace, New York Times, 29 June 2026 It's not lost on fans that both victims of Dean's last two slips have been Brazilians. Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026 It’s crafted with a water-repellent polyester fabric, designed with a 42-inch adjustable strap, and comes with three credit card slips, a front zip pocket, and a back slip pocket. Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 25 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slips
Verb
  • This unique trend sees AI adoption rise while trust falls, fueling widespread demand for accountability and human oversight.
    Gary Drenik, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
  • As several experts have told CNN, when a drug trafficking leader falls, there are always many others available to succeed him, so the criminal organization – at least for now – remains active.
    Sol Amaya, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
Verb
  • But then our son stumbles into the room and burrows between us, his warmth radiating right alongside my light.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 July 2026
  • Let’s say Paul Simon, a curious man, stumbles upon your song and then reads this interview.
    Devon Ivie, Vulture, 20 July 2026
Verb
  • Moana sneaks away and sets sail, with the ocean guiding her at every step.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2026
  • This episode sneaks some plot in toward the end, as the 10-Petal’s most skeptical cowboy, Austin, comes to Rip and finally — finally!
    Noel Murray, Vulture, 26 June 2026
Verb
  • As iconography that could unify through recognition that diversity lurks in everyone, the art was truly ahead of its time, and has become more necessary than ever.
    Jonathon Keats, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
  • Jamon has left the past behind, but danger still lurks.
    Luca Evans, Denver Post, 21 June 2026
Verb
  • The canal that flows between Fort Lauderdale resident Harry Rozelle’s house and his church is so infested with bacteria that his teenage son, Cruz, was hospitalized after swimming in it three years ago.
    Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 22 July 2026
  • The liquid flows into the textile and hardens, forming a secure connection.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 21 July 2026
Verb
  • The find not only sheds light on exchange networks connecting Campania with Greece, Egypt, Etruria and the eastern Mediterranean, but is an important source of information about burial customs and everyday life in pre-Roman Campania.
    Anne Doran, ARTnews.com, 20 July 2026
  • Best Time to Visit The best time to visit Delray Beach is from late April through early June, when the city still hums with energy but sheds the intensity of peak season.
    Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 11 July 2026
Noun
  • The pursuit came to an end after officers deployed spike strips and disabled the car.
    Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 July 2026
  • Edward’s new Adana filet saute is reminiscent of Iraqi beef chillifry and Turkish et sote, with strips of filet mignon sautéed with onions, tomatoes, pepper paste and a touch of Persian curry powder.
    Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2026
Noun
  • One of the biggest leadership mistakes is waiting until a crisis to define standards.
    Nadia AlShomali, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
  • But as writer-director Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster The Odyssey makes a point of emphasizing, the legendary Greek general from Homer’s ancient epic (portrayed in the film by Matt Damon) also made a lot of extremely avoidable mistakes.
    Whitney Friedlander, Vulture, 17 July 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Slips.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slips. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on slips

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster