mishap

noun

mis·​hap ˈmis-ˌhap 

mis-ˈhap

1

: an unfortunate accident

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

2

: bad luck : misfortune

The ceremony proceeded without mishap.

Synonyms of mishap

• accident

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

Despite the name mishap from the judge, Cameron was the early leader of the night, scoring a 17/30. — Mckinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 15 Sep. 2026

Car wrecks and other mishaps lead to people disappearing, only to be later found submerged underwater. — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 15 Sep. 2026

The multi-generational family comedy is set in a Mumbai neighborhood and follows five families whose lives are intertwined by everyday favors, opinions and mishaps. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 9 Sep. 2026

The trio shared a laugh over an umbrella mishap before cameras caught them making their way across the quad to greet Simon Henderson, the headmaster of the school, and Sir Nicholas Coleridge, the provost of Eton. — Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for mishap

• bandgap
• bitmap
• blackcap
• blackstrap
• bootstrap
• burlap
• claptrap
• entrap
• foolscap
• kidnap
• kneecap
• madcap

Kids Definition

mishap

noun

mis·​hap ˈmis-ˌhap 

mis-ˈhap

1

archaic : bad luck

2

: an unfortunate accident

Etymology

Middle English mishap "bad luck," from mis- "bad, unfavorable" and hap "chance, chance occurrence" — related to happen, happy, perhaps