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Synonyms

erring

American  
[ur-ing, er-] / ˈɜr ɪŋ, ˈɛr- /

adjective

  1. going astray; in error; wrong.

  2. sinning.


Other Word Forms

  • erringly adverb

Etymology

Origin of erring

1300–50; Middle English; replacing Middle English errand. See err, -ing 2

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

However, during the meeting some members of the governing council said there “could be a case for erring on the dovish side.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 22, 2026

“We should be erring on the side of doing too much, not doing too little.”

From MarketWatch • Jan. 17, 2026

Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said the team were erring on the side of caution in their handling of Wembanyama's calf problem.

From Barron's • Nov. 17, 2025

From there, the Yankees handed the Dodgers a golden chance, erring defensively all around the diamond.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 1, 2024

Presently out of the darkness Gollum came crawling on all fours, like an erring dog called to heel.

From "The Two Towers" by J. R. R. Tolkien