blunder 1 of 2

blunder

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun blunder differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of blunder are error, lapse, mistake, and slip. While all these words mean "a departure from what is true, right, or proper," blunder regularly imputes stupidity or ignorance as a cause and connotes some degree of blame.

diplomatic blunders

When might error be a better fit than blunder?

The synonyms error and blunder are sometimes interchangeable, but 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

Where would lapse be a reasonable alternative to blunder?

The meanings of lapse and blunder largely overlap; however, lapse stresses forgetfulness, weakness, or inattention as a cause.

a lapse in judgment

When is mistake a more appropriate choice than blunder?

The words mistake and blunder 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

When can slip be used instead of blunder?

While in some cases nearly identical to blunder, 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 blunder
Noun
Still, many in Kenya condemned the talks as a political blunder by President William Ruto, and called on him to reverse course. Declan Walsh, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2025 The verdict came after a blunder by Miami-Dade state prosecutors, who felt the need to apologize to jurors for not identifying a purse on the couch next to where Knighton was sitting in Blount’s apartment when she was shot. Charles Rabin, Miami Herald, 18 Feb. 2025
Verb
But the real answer - Bang! Zoom! - is actually a classic comedy called The Life of Riley, which began its one season run on NBC on October 4, 1949 with Jackie Gleason (pre-Ralph Kramden in The Honeymooners) as the blundering family man Chester A. Riley. Marc Berman, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025 Philly is 10-17, 24th in net rating, and almost half of its wins are over the blundering Charlotte Hornets. Steven Louis Goldstein, The Athletic, 25 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for blunder
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blunder
Noun
  • Astonishingly, Donald Trump is on the verge of making the same mistake.
    Charles C. W. Cooke, National Review, 11 Mar. 2025
  • A number of Republican and Libertarian figures have since voiced support for Massie on social media, suggesting Trump is making a mistake by attacking the Kentucky lawmaker.
    Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • And Volodymyr Zelenskyy also fumbled the bag pretty hard.
    CBS News, CBS News, 2 Mar. 2025
  • Arriving in England in 1929, Queenie fumbled around on the edges of the entertainment business, hoping to be an actor.
    Carolyn Kellogg, Los Angeles Times, 26 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The main character, a married artist in her mid-forties, sets out from her Los Angeles home, stumbles into a psychosexual dynamic with a young rental-car attendee, and decides to remodel a motel room into a love nest.
    Jennifer Wilson, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2025
  • Everything will then be sold – unless he’s stumbled across a famous ball.
    Don Riddell, CNN, 10 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The survey polled 1,033 adults via web, phone and field interviews from Feb. 4 -12 and had a margin of error of plus or minus 4.2 percentage points.
    Lia Russell, Sacramento Bee, 3 Mar. 2025
  • Unfortunately, errors happen not just to us, but to others.
    Peter White, Deadline, 3 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Sure, trips to the salon for cut, color, treatment and styling provide some form of hair and scalp care, but only on a cosmetic level.
    Bianca Salonga, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
  • Photographer Kevin Winter caught Jennifer Lawrence hiding her face in embarrassment after tripping on her dress while walking up the steps to accept her best actress trophy for Silver Linings Playbook.
    Scott Feinberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • England have struggled at the latter position in recent years, and with Newcastle United’s Lewis Hall out injured until next season, Spence could be Tuchel’s best option there already.
    Oliver Kay, The Athletic, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Still, with fewer employees, the department may struggle to meet the demands of a growing number of applicants.
    Scott White, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Blunder.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blunder. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.

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