mishap

noun mis·hap \ ˈmis-ˌhap , mis-ˈ \

|Updated on: 18 Jul 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: mishap in a Sentence

Definition of mishap

1 : an unfortunate accident

The fire was a tragic mishap that could have been prevented.

2 : bad luck : misfortune

The ceremony proceeded without mishap.

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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 of mishap from the Web

The conditions also made the river treacherous for emergency service personnel who might have had to rescue people involved in boating mishaps.

— mike danahey, Elgin Courier-News, "Fox River to reopen for boating from McHenry to Montgomery," 3 July 2018
Brown, a Cubs player whose pitching hand was mangled in a farm-implement mishap.

— phil vettel, chicagotribune.com, "Review: Will Wentworth's cooking at Mordecai earn him another Michelin star?," 8 June 2018
In a second mishap in 2016, a Falcon 9 blew up during a launchpad test, destroying a communications satellite whose customers included Facebook.

— dennis overbye, New York Times, "Meet TESS, Seeker of Alien Worlds," 26 Mar. 2018
Hanyu damaged ligaments in his ankle in the mishap and was forced to withdraw from all of his subsequent competitions.

— helene elliott, latimes.com, "No clear favorites heading into men's and women's Olympic figure skating," 9 Feb. 2018
These new devices sitting on bedside tables and kitchen counters are a big hit — but there have been some mishaps, too.

— jessica guynn, USA TODAY, "Facebook has 'no plans' to listen in on your conversations (for now), but the creepy stories mount," 23 June 2018
The book writer/ radio host/ theater enthusiast also knows a few things about epic Broadway mishaps, having been a musician in numerous pit orchestras — not to mention being pals with tell-all actors.

— frank rizzo, courant.com, "When Disaster Strikes, Take A Bow: Seth Rudetsky's Favorite Broadway Mishaps," 26 May 2018
Horvitz came to a similar conclusion after his driving mishap.

— tom simonite, WIRED, "Tech Firms Move to Put Ethical Guard Rails Around AI," 16 May 2018
Rob McClure is misguided Nick, who keeps his character likable through his mishaps.

— matthew j. palm, OrlandoSentinel.com, "As 'Something Rotten!' says, 'Nothing's as amazing as a musical'," 25 Apr. 2018

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.

First Known Use of mishap

14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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mishap Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of 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.