blunder
15 synonyms and 3 antonyms for blunder, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A careless or embarrassing mistake.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
A careless or embarrassing mistake.
“Forgetting the client's name was an unforgivable blunder.”
Opposites
How to use blunder
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a costly blunder
blunder into
major blunder
Etymology
From Middle English blunderen, ultimately related to Old Norse blunda ("to doze"), suggesting a mistake made through carelessness or inattention.
Full origin of blunder →Frequently asked questions
What does “blunder” mean?
The word “blunder” means a careless or embarrassing mistake. In plain terms, a stupid, avoidable mistake, or the act of making one.
How do you pronounce “blunder”?
“Blunder” is pronounced BLUHN-duh (/ˈblʌn.dɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “blunder” in a sentence?
Here is “blunder” used in a sentence: “Forgetting the client's name was an unforgivable blunder.”
What is another word for “blunder”?
Words with a similar meaning to “blunder” include goof and howler.
What part of speech is “blunder”?
Depending on how it is used, “blunder” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “blunder” come from?
The word “blunder” comes from Middle English. From Middle English blunderen, ultimately related to Old Norse blunda ("to doze"), suggesting a mistake made through carelessness or inattention.
How many meanings does “blunder” have?
“Blunder” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a careless or embarrassing mistake.
