mistake

mistake

verb

Definition of MISTAKE

1

to fail to understand the true or actual meaning of <the auctioneer mistook my nod for a bid, and I ended up buying a painting I don't even like>

Synonyms misapprehend, misconstrue, misinterpret, misknow, misperceive, misread, miss, mistake

Related Words misconceive, misdeem, misjudge; mishear

Antonyms appreciate, apprehend, catch, comprehend, conceive, fathom, get, grasp, grok, know, make out, penetrate, perceive, savvy, see, seize, take in, understand

2

to make an incorrect judgment regarding <you seriously mistake me if you think I scare so easily>

Synonyms misconceive, misdeem, misestimate, misgauge, misjudge, mismeasure, mistake

Related Words misapprehend, misconstrue, misinterpret, misknow, misperceive, misunderstand; overestimate, overrate, overvalue; misesteem, underestimate, underrate, undervalue; miscount, misreckon

3

to fail to differentiate (a thing) from something similar or related <she mistook physical attraction for love>

Synonyms conflate, confound, mistake, mix (up)

Related Words lump (together); misapply, miscall, misidentify, misname

Antonyms difference, differentiate, discriminate, distinguish, separate