1
as in to stumble
to make a mistake
we badly erred when we calculated the driving distance
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in to trespass
to commit an offense
when we err, we must be willing to accept the consequences
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 err
While many people were surprised to see the warning pop up on their phones, especially those living hundreds of miles from the epicenter, officials say the ShakeAlert system is designed to err on the side of caution.
—
Brady Halbleib,
CBS News,
25 June 2026
The uncertainty means that many shipowners are still erring on the side of caution, so movement through the strait is more of a trickle than a rush.
—
Mithil Aggarwal,
NBC news,
25 June 2026
In writing about former USMNT defender and longtime Fox studio analyst Alexi Lalas, sports pundits reaching for a succinct adjective tend to err on the side of generosity.
—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
24 June 2026
The steady march of progress, as demonstrated by these latest research papers, is prodding organizations with the most to lose to err on the side of Q Day—the day a cryptographically relevant quantum computer arrives—coming sooner rather than later.
—
Dan Goodin,
ArsTechnica,
23 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for err
Brady Halbleib,
CBS News,
25 June 2026
The uncertainty means that many shipowners are still erring on the side of caution, so movement through the strait is more of a trickle than a rush.
—
Mithil Aggarwal,
NBC news,
25 June 2026
In writing about former USMNT defender and longtime Fox studio analyst Alexi Lalas, sports pundits reaching for a succinct adjective tend to err on the side of generosity.
—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
24 June 2026
The steady march of progress, as demonstrated by these latest research papers, is prodding organizations with the most to lose to err on the side of Q Day—the day a cryptographically relevant quantum computer arrives—coming sooner rather than later.
—
Dan Goodin,
ArsTechnica,
23 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for err
Recent Examples of Synonyms for err
Verb
-
Scientists have stumbled on a rare dinosaur fossil from Antarctica, tucked away for decades in a drawer.
-
However, Portugal stumbled in its opening match, managing only a 1–1 draw against the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Verb
-
Instead of Cady as rapist, Cape Fear seems to be going for a general theme of Cady as violator, someone who is trespassing not singularly on a female body but on the Bowdens’ trustworthiness.
-
The government has no place to trespass on a founding principle of this nation.
Verb
-
But in her concentration, Porsha fumbled her words, which made the Faithfuls, who were desperate for a crumb of evidence so early in the game, suspicious of her sincerity.
-
With Yerry De los Santos also fumbling a bunt in the eighth, the Yanks tallied a season-high four errors on the night.
Verb
-
Throughout the weekend, someone wandering around Mass MoCA’s campus might have caught excellent mainstage opening acts like Gang of Four (featuring Ted Leo on guitar) or the Breeders, representing two strains of Eighties and Nineties alt/punk rock.
-
Most ticks are content to sit and wait for a meal to wander past; lone stars have no patience for that.
Verb
-
Mysterio tripped Page onto the second rope, but Page cut off Rey Mysterio with a big boot as Rey attempted a 619.
-
Neural pathways controlling core bodily functions — feeling in the limbs, movement and breathing — were collapsing one by one, like circuit breakers tripping in rapid succession.
Verb
-
The woman fell about 1,500 vertical feet, from around 12,000 feet to about 11,500 feet.
-
The report will also provide insight into whether American workers’ paychecks are falling further behind inflation.
Verb
-
In an attempt to escape, the insects fly upward and blunder into a bottle filled with ethanol, which kills them and preserves their remains.
-
Earlier this year, two Serve Robotics machines were spotted blundering into the middle of a police incident while cops apprehended a man who appeared to be having a mental health crisis.
Verb
-
Finally, the report argues that Yale has strayed from its focus on rigor and academic excellence.
-
The market began to pay close attention to stray words and nuances.
Cite this Entry
“Err.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/err. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
