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

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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

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as in to sneak

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

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as in to lurk

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

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as in to flow

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

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as in to shed

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

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slip

2 of 3

noun (1)

as in strip

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

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slip

3 of 3

noun (2)

as in mistake

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

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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

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as in escape

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in trip

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

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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

With one entity in charge, no community slips through the cracks. — Neil Chatterjee, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026 John McKinney, 58, who leapfrogged to a second-place finish in the primaries amid a stoic, law-and-order campaign that sometimes slipped into Spencer Pratt-style dystopian imagery. — Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026

Noun

Granted, this quarter’s decline is smaller than Q2’s 13% slip. — Katie Campione, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2026 Hair should feel clean, not like it was scrubbed with dish soap, and leave behind enough slip to make detangling painless. — Valeriya Chupinina, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for slip

Recent Examples of Synonyms for slip

Verb

In most cases where the acquirer is en route to paying a price amounting to a humongous PE, the acquirer’s stock falls.

— Shawn Tully, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
The Orionid meteor shower creates one of the most brilliant displays in the night sky each fall — but this year’s celestial event may have a dimmer showing due to a bright moon.

— Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of fall

Verb

There was upset after upset, and a few teams were on the verge of stumbling as well.

— David Troy OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
Next week will bring major risks for a stock market that's trying to find its footing as the AI trade continues to stumble, with several megacap earnings, a Federal Reserve meeting and a key inflation report in store.

— Sarah Min, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of stumble

Verb

However, even in situations where YCSE might appear ineligible, there is wiggle room that could allow Seyfried to sneak in.

— Nate Jones, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026
For a solid thirty minutes, the candidates defended their honor as the race’s most pro-Israel candidate — at times sneaking in jabs about their opponent.

— Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of sneak

Verb

But DeFalco is drawn to the sidewalk dwellers, street preachers and parking-lot boozers who also lurk down there and help (or hinder) Ten, usually at a loud volume.

— Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Directed by Grammy Award-winning filmmaker James Mackel, the visual is three-and-a-half minutes of spy stuff, our hero, dressed to impress, making short work of the many villains who lurk in her hotel.

— Lars Brandle, Billboard, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of lurk

Verb

From there, wine flowed as attendees tucked into filet mignon and sea bass while chatting across large burgundy floral centerpieces.

— Emily Tannenbaum, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2026
Some of the weapons from American manufacturers purchased during the Biden administration are still flowing to Ukraine, but many of those contracts have been fulfilled.

— Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of flow

Verb

Simmons said investigators found clothing passengers had shed to cool off and claw marks on the trailer's walls.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2026
On Tuesday, however, oil pulled back slightly, with West Texas Intermediate crude futures shedding more than 1% to around $102 per barrel and Brent crude futures declining more than 2% to around $106.

— Sean Conlon,Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of shed

Noun

And if so, did Democrats make a mistake by not investing earlier?

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026
Tampa Bay, which won the AL pennant by forcing opponents into mistakes, committed one error, made two other misplays that could have been charged as errors and had a runner thrown out at the plate.

— Ronald Blum, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of mistake

Browse Nearby Words

slinks

slip

slip (into)

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Slip.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slip. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of slip

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noun (1)

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Synonyms of slip

verb

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noun (2)

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More from Merriam-Webster on slip

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