ERROR Synonyms: 138 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

error

noun

ˈer-ər

Definition of error

as in mistake

an unintentional departure from truth or accuracy a report on the earthquake contained several unfortunate errors

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in violation

a breaking of a moral or legal code we have all committed errors in our lives and strayed from the path of righteousness

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in delusion

a false idea or belief the story only spread the error by repeating the misinterpreted statistics

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

truth
verity

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 Those of us looking at final sales to private domestic purchasers were able to avoid that error. — Bill Stone, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026 ExxonMobil’s Gulf Coast refineries ran at a utilization rate of 95% in the second quarter, while Chevron’s US facilities ran even harder, at 97%, showing there’s little room for error. — Kevin Crowley, Fortune, 1 Aug. 2026 Fresh off an error and game-winning two-run homer in the tenth inning of Wednesday’s 4-2 victory, Monasterio committed his third error of the series in the bottom of the third. — Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 31 July 2026 The 3-point difference falls within the survey’s margin of sampling error, the poll noted. — Natassia Paloma, USA Today, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for error

Recent Examples of Synonyms for error

Noun

Our work shows that expressive cues appear to shift how people perceive a mistake out of the category of technical malfunction and into the category of social violation, like those that happen between people.

— Yigit Topoglu, The Conversation, 3 Aug. 2026
But according to rocket scientists at the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT), slamming a nuclear warhead directly into the side of a space rock is a rookie mistake.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of mistake

Noun

The lawsuit asserts claims for breach of contract, unjust enrichment, and violations of state and local laws protecting freelance workers, as well as California’s Unfair Competition Law.

— Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 4 Aug. 2026
Grisham is currently suing Miller over violations of the terms of a confidential settlement related to his defamation case against her.

— Rachel Scott, ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of violation

Noun

The 29-year-old Christian Faith Madison died after walking into traffic, with her family arguing that the OpenAI chatbot had fueled her religious delusions during their extensive interactions, pushing her over the edge by romanticizing death.

— Frank Landymore, Futurism, 23 July 2026
The delusion is painful to watch, but the greater tragedy is that his proximity to this staggering wealth insures his and Lindsay’s misery.

— Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 22 July 2026

Definition of delusion

Noun

That doesn’t sound cheap, but thinking any premium means a fund is pricey is another first-level blunder.

— Brett Owens, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
In 2026, Mattel is doubling down and averting any PR blunders with a Holiday Barbie that, by all accounts, looks genuinely gorgeous.

— Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 29 July 2026

Definition of blunder

Noun

Michael was arrested two days later, per Denver TV station KUSA, and charged with first-degree murder, use of a weapon in a violent crime, theft of $100 to $500, and abuse of a corpse.

— Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 1 Aug. 2026
Instead of dwelling on the crime, the owners decided to respond with humor, posting the video on Instagram with a mock 0-star review for the burglary crew.

— Charlie De Mar, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of crime

Noun

Next, there's the identity lag, where an outdated self-concept drives continued overexertion; and the illusion of recoverability, where believing resources can always fix health damage later down the road.

— Julian Hayes II, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Disappointments like you thrive on pain, on fear, and on the illusion of power.

— Kalia Richardson, USA Today, 29 July 2026

Definition of illusion

Noun

In the film, however, Odysseus’s falsehoods have dire consequences, an apparent reflection of the biblical assertion that false witness is a sin.

— Luis Parrales, The Atlantic, 26 July 2026
Drawing from Baldwin’s own experiences, the novel explores a young man’s spiritual and personal awakening while examining the lasting impact of history, sin, and love.

— Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 24 July 2026

Definition of sin

Noun

Street skits satirized the myth of Modi’s tea-seller origins.

— Asim Ali, Time, 1 Aug. 2026
His adventures traversing a broken land of haunted people and animals may be less the stuff of future myth and more about trauma, but Yoon brilliantly creates voices for human and canine that make both more whole.

— Bethanne Patrick, Los Angeles Times, 31 July 2026

Definition of myth

Articles Related to error

Cite this Entry

Style

“Error.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/error. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of error

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

My Bad: 7 Words for When Things Go Wrong

How to use [Sic]

Language Errors of the Rich and Famous

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on error

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

colloquial

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Games & Quizzes