1
: an unfortunate accident
The fire was a tragic mishap that could have been prevented.
2
: bad luck : misfortune
The ceremony proceeded without mishap.
Examples of mishap in a Sentence
We experienced the usual mishaps of a family vacation.
The ceremony proceeded without mishap.
The fire was a tragic mishap that could have been prevented.
Recent Examples on the Web
At the time of the mishap, some E/A-18 Growlers were transitioning to a new type of software meant to help them to conduct airborne electronic warfare, mostly to protect aircraft carriers from enemy attacks.
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Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026
When—and why—laughter works In the study, Sezer and her colleagues ran six experiments involving more than 3,000 participants who read about other people’s embarrassing mishaps, like dramatically knocking over a glass in a restaurant or enthusiastically waving at the wrong person.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 27 Feb. 2026
The astrological shift is often associated with communication breakdowns, travel mishaps and a generally ominous energy.
—Faith Bugenhagen, Austin American Statesman, 26 Feb. 2026
One of the best ways to avoid serious accidents and mechanical mishaps while driving in the winter is to be aware of the many potential obstacles motorists can face.
—Charles Singh, USA Today, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mishap
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Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026
When—and why—laughter works In the study, Sezer and her colleagues ran six experiments involving more than 3,000 participants who read about other people’s embarrassing mishaps, like dramatically knocking over a glass in a restaurant or enthusiastically waving at the wrong person.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 27 Feb. 2026
The astrological shift is often associated with communication breakdowns, travel mishaps and a generally ominous energy.
—Faith Bugenhagen, Austin American Statesman, 26 Feb. 2026
One of the best ways to avoid serious accidents and mechanical mishaps while driving in the winter is to be aware of the many potential obstacles motorists can face.
—Charles Singh, USA Today, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mishap
Cite this Entry
“Mishap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mishap. Accessed 8 Mar. 2026.
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