mishap

noun mis·hap \ ˈmis-ˌhap , mis-ˈ \

Updated on: 9 May 2018

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

But even with the security Salloi provided Sporting KC in the 16th minute, a defensive mishap offered a reminder of the one-goal margin.

— sam mcdowell, kansascity, "After fans greet Tim Howard with boos, Sporting KC beats him once more | The Kansas City Star," 5 May 2018
Ross, 29, demonstrated resourcefulness and resiliency to claim eighth place despite a major mishap in his international debut last month in the Philippines.

— beth bragg, Anchorage Daily News, "If he can avoid flat tires, this Alaskan might make it as a professional triathlete," 5 May 2018
The carrier suspended its PetSafe program in March, following a number of mishaps that resulted in pet deaths—dogs being put on the wrong flights; a puppy dying in-flight after a passenger was forced to put it into the overhead bin.

— david meyer, Fortune, "United Will Soon Allow Some Cats and Dogs Back Into Its Cargo Holds. Here Are the New Rules.," 2 May 2018
Photo: Vatican Pool/Corbis/Getty Images Pope John Paul was succeeded by the introverted Pope Benedict XVI, a less appealing and accessible figure on television, whose reign was marked by a number of public-relations mishaps.

— francis x. rocca, WSJ, "Even the Pope’s ‘Supreme’ Power Has Its Limits," 29 Apr. 2018
A week later, another Raptor from the same squadron experienced a mishap during landing, damaging the belly of the aircraft.

— kyle mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "Two F-22s Had Incidents Within a Week," 24 Apr. 2018
Allegedly, gym employees dialed 911 over a membership mishap.

— leah rodriguez, The Cut, "Why Did L.A. Fitness Employees Call the Cops on Two Black Men?," 20 Apr. 2018
The video is a series of mishaps that begins with ScHoolboy Q placing a call to Lamar and checking on the progress of their trainees.

— shanté honeycutt, Billboard, "Kendrick Lamar, SZA & More Gear Up for TDE's The Championship Tour in Hilarious Training Video: Watch," 17 Apr. 2018
Reading the political press over the past week--in which reporters have happily cataloged McCain's streak of seemingly avoidable public relations mishaps--it'd be easy to believe otherwise.

— Newsweek, "Analysis," 14 Mar. 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

See Words from the same year

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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.