Definition of MISHAP

Choose the Right Synonym for mishap

misfortune, mischance, adversity, mishap mean adverse fortune or an instance of this. misfortune may apply to either the incident or conjunction of events that is the cause of an unhappy change of fortune or to the ensuing state of distress. never lost hope even in the depths of misfortune mischance applies especially to a situation involving no more than slight inconvenience or minor annoyance. took the wrong road by mischance adversity applies to a state of grave or persistent misfortune. had never experienced great adversity mishap applies to an often trivial instance of bad luck. the usual mishaps of a family vacation

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

Those tactics appear to have paid off in Thursday’s voting, confirming his position as the clear favorite and — barring mishaps or gaffes — effectively turning next week’s voting into a contest for the right to join him on the shortlist of two. — Stephen Castle, New York Times, "Boris Johnson Shows Strength in Conservative Leadership Contest," 13 June 2019 Those tactics appear to have paid off in Thursday’s voting, confirming his position as the clear favorite and — barring mishaps or gaffes — effectively turning next week’s voting into a contest for the right to join him on the short list of two. — Stephen Castle, BostonGlobe.com, "Boris Johnson shows strength in Conservative leadership balloting," 13 June 2019 Other common mishaps ending in a trip to the Cospital involve broken shoes and/or props. — Sarah Espedido, orlandosentinel.com, "MegaCon costume repair center offers a place to fix cosplay," 12 June 2019 Each episode chronicles the adventures and mishaps of Lucy Ricardo (Ball), her husband, Ricky Ricardo (Desi Arnaz), and their friends Ethel (Vivian Vance) and Fred Mertz (William Frawley). — Samantha Incorvaia, azcentral, "You can love 'I Love Lucy' in color on the big screen at Phoenix theaters," 9 June 2019 The tech business has had its share of mishaps and misdeeds over the years, and the concentration of power in certain digital markets is a cause for concern. — Bloomberg View, Twin Cities, "Other voices: Don’t declare war on big tech," 7 June 2019 These mishaps have included sensitive information like fees paid to a divorce attorney and doctor’s office, according to the Wall Street Journal. — Rani Molla, Vox, "Recode Daily: The word of the day is “antitrust”," 5 June 2019 Still, despite the best intentions of both sides, these unfortunate mishaps can sometimes feel unavoidable. — Allure, "Here's How to Avoid Getting a Bad Haircut," 16 May 2019 The mining industry often displays its ability to shock with deadly accidents such as the burst dam that has left hundreds missing in Brazil, but fatal mishaps in the sector have declined in recent decades. — Alistair Macdonald, WSJ, "As Global Mining Fatalities Fall, Brazil Deaths Show Problems Remain," 28 Jan. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'mishap.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.