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
mistake implies misconception or inadvertence and usually expresses less criticism than error.
dialed the wrong number by mistake
blunder regularly imputes stupidity or ignorance as a cause and connotes some degree of blame.
diplomatic blunders
slip stresses inadvertence or accident and applies especially to trivial but embarrassing mistakes.
a slip of the tongue
lapse stresses forgetfulness, weakness, or inattention as a cause.
a lapse in judgment
Example Sentences
Verb the auctioneer mistook my nod for a bid, and I ended up buying a painting I don't even like you seriously mistake me if you think I scare so easily Noun It would be a mistake to assume that we can rely on their help. There must be some mistake. The manuscript contains numerous spelling mistakes. There's a mistake in the schedule. “When does the movie start?” “At 8:00. No, wait—my mistake—it starts at 8:30.” See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Stories are often about a handful of poisonous varieties that people regularly mistake for edible mushrooms. Matt Kasson, Washington Post, 24 Aug. 2022 Cons: Not many people will mistake laminate flooring for real wood or stone. Dan Diclerico, Good Housekeeping, 12 Aug. 2022 The case has received widespread attention on social media, where commenters have questioned how officers could mistake the actuator for a weapon and why police were slow to acknowledge that Petit was not armed. Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 9 Aug. 2022 Journalists who assert otherwise not only mistake their opinion for facts but foment fears that brain death is a tool for overeager transplant surgeons, cost-conscious hospitals or windfall-seeking heirs. Michael Stanley, WSJ, 22 Aug. 2022 Sometimes people mistake one’s kindness for weakness and try to take advantage of their giving heart. Okla Jones, Essence, 29 July 2022 In an episode full of lasts, this seems like another one: the last time anyone in Albuquerque, or perhaps in the audience, will ever mistake the one identity for the other. Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 19 July 2022 Did Elvis really mistake an overzealous fan for an assassination attempt? Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 26 June 2022 Such a conclusion, however, would mistake the nature of business. Milton Ezrati, Forbes, 20 June 2022
Noun
This summer the Justices reversed that mistake in Dobbs, and the result has been hurly-burly democratic arguments in state legislatures. The Editorial Board, WSJ, 13 Sep. 2022 Trying to work only with people who are in absolute agreement with you, that’s a mistake. Kk Ottesen, Washington Post, 13 Sep. 2022 Of course, those withdrawals can be made at any time of the year, but many people leave it to the last minute, which could be an expensive mistake. Terry Savage, Orlando Sentinel, 12 Sep. 2022 That was a mistake made in the past, by the previous front office, but there’s no time for that now. Gregg Doyel, USA TODAY, 12 Sep. 2022 Coach John Harbaugh’s biggest mistake was allowing Jackson to throw that interception late in the game, which was a meaningless play in one regard, but eventually led to the injury of cornerback Kyle Fuller. Mike Preston, Baltimore Sun, 11 Sep. 2022 Newgarden had gone off course in a sloppy qualifying mistake that forced him to start 25th in the 26-driver field. Jenna Fryer, ajc, 11 Sep. 2022 French power distributor Electricite de Strasbourg SA oversold large quantities of electricity due to trading errors earlier this week, a mistake that could cost the company 60 million euros ($60.3 million). Gaspard Sebag, Fortune, 11 Sep. 2022 Pro-Kremlin political analyst Sergei Markov criticized the festivities in Moscow as a grave political mistake. Karl Ritter And Hanna Arhirova, Anchorage Daily News, 11 Sep. 2022 See More