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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun error differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of error are blunder, lapse, mistake, and slip. While all these words mean "a departure from what is true, right, or proper," 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 blunder be a good substitute for error?

While the synonyms blunder and error are close in meaning, blunder regularly imputes stupidity or ignorance as a cause and connotes some degree of blame.

diplomatic blunders

When can lapse be used instead of error?

The words lapse and error are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, lapse stresses forgetfulness, weakness, or inattention as a cause.

a lapse in judgment

When is it sensible to use mistake instead of error?

In some situations, the words mistake and error are roughly equivalent. However, mistake implies misconception or inadvertence and usually expresses less criticism than error.

dialed the wrong number by mistake

When could slip be used to replace error?

Although the words slip and error have much in common, slip stresses inadvertence or accident and applies especially to trivial but embarrassing mistakes.

a slip of the tongue

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 error The report also exposed a laundry list of other procedural and planning errors, including misallocation of resources and a lack of training. Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 12 July 2025 The survey, which has a margin of error of 4 percentage points, also found that 79% of respondents view immigration as a good thing for the country, marking a 15-point increase from 2024 and resulting in the highest share measured since 2001. Brendan Rascius july 11, Miami Herald, 11 July 2025 With very little margin for error, any misstep could lead to a steep correction. Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025 More often than not, that will allow for more room for error in an attempt to develop him on the practice squad. Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for error
Recent Examples of Synonyms for error
Noun
  • Such complacency could be a mistake, as some market watchers have cautioned.
    Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 9 July 2025
  • Read on for some of the most common nutrition mistakes sports dietitians see that wreak havoc on people’s workouts—plus what to do instead.
    Jenny McCoy, SELF, 9 July 2025
Noun
  • The private and personalized nature of AI use makes its mental health impact difficult to track, but the evidence of potential harms is mounting, from professional apathy to attachments to new forms of delusion.
    Parmy Olson, Mercury News, 12 July 2025
  • At his trial, Fish's children described a chaotic home life marked by erratic behavior, religious delusions and violence.
    Christina Coulter, People.com, 12 July 2025
Noun
  • Kiké Hernández and Teoscar Hernández made run-scoring defensive blunders in the outfield.
    Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2025
  • Whereas the Pacers had their lowest giveaway total of the championship round in Game 6, OKC had its highest turnover game of the playoffs, with 23 blunders leading to 32 Indiana points.
    Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 20 June 2025
Noun
  • The list obtained by the Herald/Times states that his uncle, Denis Alcides Solis Morales, has immigration violations and makes no mention of convictions or pending criminal charges.
    Ana Ceballos, Miami Herald, 13 July 2025
  • Kevin Guthrie, director of the Florida Department of Emergency Management, helped facilitate the tour and told lawmakers that those with yellow wristbands, the lowest level, had committed noncriminal offenses such as traffic violations.
    Kairi Lowery, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 July 2025
Noun
  • Call it pixie dust, projection, illusion, artifice — who really cares?
    Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 11 July 2025
  • The illusion is caused by the moon being seen close to the horizon, where trees and buildings give the human brain context.
    Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
Noun
  • According to the department, Chávez Jr. has been charged with several crimes while in the U.S. On Jan. 22, 2012, the California Highwaay Patrol arrested Chávez and charged him with DUI alcohol/drugs and driving without a license.
    Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2025
  • Cincinnati's recent uptick in crime During a June 24 news conference, Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval, Police Chief Teresa Theetge and other city leaders acknowledged the unease over crime among Cincinnati residents, particularly in neighborhoods in the urban core.
    Fox19 staff, The Enquirer, 5 July 2025
Noun
  • Reason 2: The Obsession with Control The second myth plaguing modern business is the assumption that complex systems can be controlled through tighter management processes.
    Tima Bansal, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
  • In my own writing, the process of myth making fascinates me.
    Irenosen Okojie July 11, Literary Hub, 11 July 2025
Noun
  • Every year, villagers in Brittany gathered to have their sins forgiven, dance the gavotte, and watch the young townsmen wrestle after denouncing the devil.
    Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 11 July 2025
  • Brazil is a beast soaked in the sins of environmental destruction and human rights violations.
    Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Error.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/error. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.

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