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

3 of 3

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
Before smartphones and summer schedules packed tighter than a church potluck, lawn sprinklers, slip n’ slides, biking to the neighborhood pool, and lemonade stands were the backbone of summer. Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 5 July 2025 The Drive The thrill of the MX-5 has always involved sweetly smashing that standard shift, whipping through K-turns, slipping through tiny spaces in between the other cars and generally enjoying yourself. Josh Max, Forbes.com, 5 July 2025
Noun
Grab bars and handrails: These can help prevent slips and falls in areas like bathrooms, corridors, and staircases. Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 17 June 2025 The outlet reported that while the cause of the slip has not been identified, the peak wind gusts at 36 mph could have been a factor. Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 13 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for slip
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slip
Verb
  • Notre Dame, with an offensive line that included three top-10 picks, roared back, falling 24-22 when its two-point conversion got stuffed with seven seconds remaining.
    Pete Sampson, New York Times, 9 July 2025
  • The inky tresses stuck out behind her, falling from the BumpIt positioned on the crown of her head.
    Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 9 July 2025
Verb
  • Hegseth, a former Fox TV host who has stumbled through several controversies during his six months in office, sat silently next to Trump without volunteering any information about the decision that apparently came on his watch.
    Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 9 July 2025
  • After a dramatic event, like an underwater landslide, covered her in sediment, her body remained hidden until 16 years ago, when scientists stumbled upon the nearly pristine fossil of the animal—a dolphin-like marine predator—and unearthed it for further research.
    Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 July 2025
Verb
  • This snack is a great way to sneak even more protein into your kid’s diet.
    Stephanie Ganz, Parents, 15 July 2025
  • Dianne witnessed Tiffany sneaking the card into her back pocket and confronted her.
    Alex Gurley, People.com, 12 July 2025
Verb
  • These brief Charley moments are frankly much more dynamic than any repetitive scene of Dexter lurking around his son.
    Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 11 July 2025
  • The incident comes as paranoia surrounding the possibility of a serial killer lurking within the New England region grips the area following a series of unexplained deaths in recent months.
    Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 10 July 2025
Verb
  • Both the Sai and the Kok rivers flow into the Mekong, as does the Ruak, where unsafe levels of arsenic have also been found.
    Michael Sullivan, NPR, 12 July 2025
  • The death toll has rose to over 120 people killed since heavy rainfall overwhelmed the Guadalupe River and flowed through homes and summer camps in the early morning hours of July 4.
    Jay Stahl, USA Today, 12 July 2025
Verb
  • Research into de-extinction of the moa will likely shed light on New Zealand's ecological past.
    Mike Snider, USA Today, 9 July 2025
  • Once the introductions conclude, and the occasion is marked by more sacred singing and circle dancing, Thomas sheds light on his confusing claim that Solomon reigned above all others.
    Mary Jo Bang July 9, Literary Hub, 9 July 2025
Verb
  • Then there’s the reverse extreme: nipple reduction — long, protruding, often sagging nipples that are the consequence of breastfeeding.
    Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 16 June 2025
  • The vinyl rain gutter sagged and melted, its plastic material flapping in the wind like a flag, and the window shattered shortly after, letting the flames enter the interior.
    Jack Flemming, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2025
Verb
  • The Wall Street Journal wrote about how the robots are getting flipped over, stuck in snow piles and some students have been found to sit on them, or trip over them, when drinking.
    Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 July 2025
  • An employee at a Pyro Spectaculars, Inc. warehouse tripped and dropped a combustible shell.
    Calista Oetama July 3, Sacbee.com, 3 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Slip.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slip. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.

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