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

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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 The way the central couple navigates the twists, turns, roadblocks and unforced errors that entangle their budding relationship is the beating heart of these films. — Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026 Commissioner Patricia O’Brien said that while she was troubled by the errors that led to the situation, ultimately the commission needed to be realistic. — Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026 With no margin for error and a cable that could fail at any moment, an unlikely alliance of rescuers must improvise under intense public scrutiny, racing against an invisible clock before disaster strikes live on television. — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2026 The shortstop now has six errors in six consecutive games after booting a groundball in Thursday’s 5-1 loss to the Astros. — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for error

Recent Examples of Synonyms for error

Noun

The mistakes that sink applications Loan files in this category rarely die because the borrower earns too little.

— Karen Koehler, Miami Herald, 31 Aug. 2026
Innovation Is Not One Game Organizations also make the mistake of treating innovation as a single activity.

— Jeff DeGraff, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of mistake

Noun

The violations on the report include employees not having a food handler card, as well as no drain plugs being seen when observing the plumbing.

— Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 25 Aug. 2026
The states argue that Meta withheld relevant information from users and parents, who might have benefited from knowing the ineffectiveness of the feature and others like it, constituting a violation of consumer protection laws.

— John Ruwitch, NPR, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of violation

Noun

Symptoms of postpartum psychosis can include delusions or hallucinations that can prompt suicidal or homicidal action, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

— ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
That’s the sign of an overmatched team, and one that should be far, far away from any delusions of postseason grandeur.

— Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of delusion

Noun

Boutique seasonal brand, made it to market, suggesting the blunder might be related to a need for more executives and other workers connected with and sensitive to needs and concerns of Black consumers.

— Cheryl V. Jackson, IndyStar, 27 Aug. 2026
From a 2026 lens, extending Braun while kicking Watson’s can down the road looks like an epic blunder that could cost the Nuggets another title in the Joker’s prime.

— Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of blunder

Noun

Which of these adults will have their real estate crimes interrupted by those meddling kids and their puppy?

— Bethy Squires, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
The plan involves the United States taking more direct control over Venezuelan reserves as crime and steep logistical challenges discourage private investors.

— Evan Halper, Washington Post, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of crime

Noun

This is the illusion that the Rankine of Triage has abandoned.

— Charles Finch, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026
The illusion of molten steel was basically water and mineral oil mixed with a little powdered sugar; creative lighting and heaters placed below the cameras—plus a few CGI sparks in the background—did the rest.

— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of illusion

Noun

Visitors are invited to travel across time and place to notice how societies around the world tended to weave similar, parallel myths.

— Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 28 Aug. 2026
But cultural myths and urban legends have also stereotyped them into Halloween mascots, demonic beings and carriers of diseases.

— Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of myth

Articles Related to error

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“Error.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/error. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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