SLIP Synonyms: 263 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'slip' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of slip are blunder , error , lapse , and mistake . While all these words mean "a departure from what is true, right, or proper," slip stresses inadvertence or accident and applies especially to trivial but embarrassing mistakes. // a slip of the tongue

Q: When is it sensible to use 'blunder' instead of 'slip'?

The meanings of blunder and slip largely overlap; however, blunder regularly imputes stupidity or ignorance as a cause and connotes some degree of blame. // diplomatic blunders

Q: When is 'error' a more appropriate choice than 'slip'?

In some situations, the words error and slip are roughly equivalent. However, 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 'lapse' be a good substitute for 'slip'?

The synonyms lapse and slip are sometimes interchangeable, but lapse stresses forgetfulness, weakness, or inattention as a cause. // a lapse in judgment

Q: When can 'mistake' be used instead of 'slip'?

The words mistake and slip are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, mistake implies misconception or inadvertence and usually expresses less criticism than error . // dialed the wrong number by mistake

slip 1 of 3

verb

ˈslip

Definition of slip

as in to fall

to decline gradually from a standard level the store's quality of service began to slip after the new owners took over

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to stumble

to go down from an upright position suddenly and involuntarily be careful not to slip on the spilled oil

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to sneak

to introduce in a gradual, secret, or clever way casually slipped it into the conversation

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to lurk

to move about in a sly or secret manner slipped behind the cover of the trees

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to flow

to move or proceed smoothly and readily jumped into the car and slipped behind the wheel

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to shed

to cast (a natural bodily covering or appendage) aside periodically crabs slip their shells and grow new ones

Synonyms & Similar Words

slip

2 of 3

noun (1)

as in strip

a long narrow piece of material baskets woven from slips of wicker

Synonyms & Similar Words

slip

3 of 3

noun (2)

as in mistake

an unintentional departure from truth or accuracy a careless slip of the tongue

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in fall

the act of going down from an upright position suddenly and involuntarily had a nasty slip on the ice

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in escape

the act or an instance of getting free from danger or confinement gave her pursuers the slip

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in trip

a wrong judgment that's not the sort of slip that a prudent person would have made

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun slip differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of slip are blunder, error, lapse, and mistake. While all these words mean "a departure from what is true, right, or proper," slip stresses inadvertence or accident and applies especially to trivial but embarrassing mistakes.

a slip of the tongue

When is it sensible to use blunder instead of slip?

The meanings of blunder and slip largely overlap; however, blunder regularly imputes stupidity or ignorance as a cause and connotes some degree of blame.

diplomatic blunders

When is error a more appropriate choice than slip?

In some situations, the words error and slip are roughly equivalent. However, 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 lapse be a good substitute for slip?

The synonyms lapse and slip are sometimes interchangeable, but lapse stresses forgetfulness, weakness, or inattention as a cause.

a lapse in judgment

When can mistake be used instead of slip?

The words mistake and slip are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, mistake implies misconception or inadvertence and usually expresses less criticism than error.

dialed the wrong number by mistake

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 slip

Verb

At one point, Musashi slips on mud and slides headfirst through a crowd of Samurai. — Zackery Cuevas, PC Magazine, 31 Aug. 2026 As evening fell and guests sipped drinks and ate hors d’oeuvres, John Ternus slipped into the Observatory building, an event space embedded into a meadow with a large oval window that looks out toward Apple’s main building. — Sebastian Herrera, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026

Noun

Think poofy baby doll dresses and silky slip dresses, but with that signature Olivia flair, of course. — Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 28 Aug. 2026 Stripes is nobody’s pushover, and in hunting him, or any other big game that’s worth a trip halfway around the world, there’s many a slip ‘twixt track and trophy. — Leslie E. Tassell, Outdoor Life, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for slip

Recent Examples of Synonyms for slip

Verb

The continent's sweltering summer has meanwhile boosted demand for air conditioning and other energy-hungry appliances at a time when demand for gas, widely used for Europe's heating and cooking needs, naturally falls.

— Jenni Reid, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
The Oscar winner paired a leopard-print Givenchy fall 2026 dress and the fashion house’s modern take on T-strap high heels.

— Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of fall

Verb

Most critics of judicial supremacy stumble over the fact that a strong Court sometimes benefits their side.

— Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
Analysis from Zeki Data shows that where OpenAI and Anthropic are making gains in the AI talent market, Google DeepMind (and to some extent Meta) are stumbling.

— Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of stumble

Verb

Police are investigating a rash of incidents involving people sneaking out of sewers.

— Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
And new species join the party regularly, as bad pet owners release their charges into the wild or stowaways sneak in from far-off countries.

— Alex Harris August 25, Miami Herald, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of sneak

Verb

For the traditional Telugu Hindu ceremony, their priest translated Sanskrit to English in real time, and the mandap was designed as a circle to represent how life flows into itself for eternity.

— Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 29 Aug. 2026
Millions of people across the floodplains of the Indian subcontinent depend on the water that flows downstream.

— Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of flow

Verb

SentinelOne — The cybersecurity stock shed almost 4% after the company issued a weak outlook for current-quarter and full-year earnings per share.

— Alex Harring, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
Getting an up-close look at Ship, the company said, would shed light on how its heat shield held up during the flight — key information that could advance the development of Starship, which is designed to be fully and rapidly reusable.

— Mike Wall, Space.com, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of shed

Noun

Blakespear said the definition was broad enough to encompass a wide range of heavy industrial uses, including chemical, plastics and pesticide manufacturing and strip mining.

— Naomi Taxay, Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Seattle’s protection had its hands full with Woods, and Thomas screamed around a double-team to force a strip-sack.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of strip

Browse Nearby Words

slinks

slip

slip (into)

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Slip.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slip. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of slip

verb

noun (1)

noun (2)

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Words for Mistakes

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on slip

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

dissonant

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

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

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

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

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes

Synonyms of slip

verb

noun (1)

noun (2)

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Phrases Containing slip

Browse Nearby Words

Articles Related to slip

Words for Mistakes

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on slip

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

dissonant

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

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

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

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

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes