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 film has been in the public domain since its original release due to an error by its original distributor. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2026 Many newer business owners still use spreadsheets or pen and paper to record transactions, even though manual bookkeeping can be time-consuming and lead to more errors. — Carson Brunson, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026 And the cosmic radiation that Earth’s atmosphere filters out can scramble calculations, forcing systems to catch and correct errors on the fly. — Peter Hall, Scientific American, 1 Oct. 2026 Carrier landings leave pilots little room for navigation errors. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for error

Recent Examples of Synonyms for error

Noun

But elevating the whims of progressive activists and government bureaucrats above the wisdom of the marketplace has proven a costly mistake and undermined consumer choice.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 5 Oct. 2026
Guys will make a mistake that will lead to busted assignments, penalties, big plays for the opponents, if not a touchdown.

— Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of mistake

Noun

Several Japanese nationals, including executives at top Japanese firms, were reportedly detained in August over alleged violations of dual-use goods export restrictions.

— Anniek Bao,Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 5 Oct. 2026
Merz said Germany would take further steps to defend itself, including against Russia’s shadow fleet of tankers in the Baltic and North seas, airspace violations and drone attacks.

— Susie Blann, Chicago Tribune, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of violation

Noun

The Mayo Clinic defines the mental health condition as typically marked by hallucinations, delusions, depression, and mania.

— Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Sep. 2026
Hill became increasingly paranoid and developed delusions that she was being surveilled.

— Rebecca White, New York Daily News, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of delusion

Noun

However, due to the financial blunders of our prior ADs with Locks’ contract, getting rid of him has been almost impossible.

— Baltimore Sun staff, Baltimore Sun, 1 Oct. 2026
On the heels of a TikTok viral talent show blunder, Anjali and Maya are eager to embrace a new beginning and reinvent themselves with their newfound freedom on campus.

— Brianna J. Heath, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of blunder

Noun

At that point, Jesse had been dead for a decade, and Frank had been tried for crimes three times—in Missouri, then Alabama, and back to Missouri again.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Oct. 2026
Police said the vandalism was classified as a property crime rather than a hate offense, and the teen was released to his parents.

— Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of crime

Noun

But recent Ukrainian drone strikes on Russia’s oil refineries have led to widespread fuel shortages, shattering the illusion that the consequences of the conflict are far removed from ordinary Russians.

— Zahra Ullah, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026
Use your illusion Hancock and his team combined multiple lines of evidence to test their hypothesis that the colorful wing patterns of butterflies served as a form of motion dazzle.

— Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of illusion

Noun

Now Trump’s folks are rounding up and deporting people who were jailed in their home country for the sin of defending democracy.

— Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026
De Biase explained how a snake is associated with Eve and the story of sin in the Bible — but the shoe reframes the connotation of the snake.

— Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of sin

Noun

After decades of perspective-shifting literary retellings like Wide Sargasso Sea and The Mists of Avalon and the current trend of feminist Greek myths, Cathy is an enigma begging for some traumatic backstory to staple her flaws together.

— Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026
Some myths about private capital persist for small-business owners, especially around what an investment actually means for a company.

— Frank Williamson, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 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 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of error

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