slip 1 of 3

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

slip

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noun (1)

as in strip
a long narrow piece of material baskets woven from slips of wicker

Synonyms & Similar Words

slip

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noun (2)

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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

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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
This reduces the chance that graphic or violent content slips into your feed. Annie Margaret, The Conversation, 12 Sep. 2025 Figure Technology Solutions — The blockchain lender slipped 1%. Michelle Fox, CNBC, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
The rugged Renegade Evo leather boots sport a soft, shock-absorbing midsole layered over grippy Vibram rubber for a comfortable, slip-free experience on the trail. Alice Bennett, Travel + Leisure, 11 Sep. 2025 Power is sent through a 6-speed short-throw manual transmission to the front wheels through a helical limited-slip differential. Michael Harley, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for slip
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slip
Verb
  • National Weather Service meteorologists consider forecasting waterspouts during the late summer and fall whenever large, cool air masses overspread the waters of the Great Lakes.
    Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • The Department of Buildings told CBS News New York and News 12 Long Island that a 10-by-10-inch section of the ceiling collapsed due to possible water damage, and pieces of the building fell on customers dining inside.
    Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Inspired by true events, The Rip centers on a team of Miami police officers who stumble upon millions in cash during a raid of a stash house.
    Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2025
  • The Rise of Long-Horizon Capital Where VCs stumbled, others seized control.
    Sindhya Valloppillil, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Aloe vera sneaks in lightweight hydration, and wheat protein helps strengthen to keep breakage at bay.
    Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Read about a man who has snuck into prestigious events for nearly a decade.
    Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Players must navigate nightmarish mazes where monsters lurk at every turn.
    Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 9 Sep. 2025
  • The Triangle, one of many signature quirks of Fenway Park, lurks 420 feet from home plate.
    Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • An inner radiative zone (makes up 70 percent of the Sun by radius), where energy flows smoothly and the whole region spins together like a solid ball, and the outer convective zone (the remaining 30 percent), where hot gases swirl chaotically and spin at different speeds depending on location.
    Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Many of the most bullish bitcoin traders and investors have predicted the bitcoin price will climb at a faster rate when the Fed does begin to lower interest rates, something that encourages cash to flow more quickly through the economy.
    Billy Bambrough, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Now, about a month and a half after the film’s release on streaming, Ice Cube is shedding a little light about the production.
    Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
  • On an outside zone play, Fox shed several tacklers and outran the Falcons’ secondary to quiet the Skyridge sideline and fan section, which had been energized up to that point.
    Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 13 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Cracker Barrel was looking to draw new customers, especially younger ones, after years of sagging sales.
    Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Policymakers are widely expected to lower their benchmark rate by a quarter percentage point next week to prop up the sagging job market.
    Scott Horsley, NPR, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Several videos begin with Taddese’s friend, who wore a white shirt and gray pants, pushing a persondown as that individual trips him.
    PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 12 Sep. 2025
  • In Bora Bora, trips with Bora Diving Center (by Eleuthera) are another good bet for seeing mantas and schooling eagle rays within the famous lagoon.
    Terry Ward, AFAR Media, 11 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Slip.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slip. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.

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