misstep

noun

mis·​step ˌmis-ˈstep 

1

: a mistake in judgment or action : blunder

missteps that led to the project's failure

2

: a wrong step

took a misstep and fell

Synonyms of misstep

• mistake

Examples of misstep in a Sentence

Their decision to relocate the company was a major misstep.

another misstep like that, and the company could go belly-up

Recent Examples on the Web

The report would also likely include recommendations to avoid similar missteps. —Jim Defede, CBS News, 12 Apr. 2026

Bailey has a wide-eyed clueless cuteness that lends to her character’s well-meaning naiveté — even her missteps have a way of working out. —Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026

One of the most common missteps is keeping tasks too vague. —Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 10 Apr. 2026

Pep Guardiola’s decision to use wide forward Antoine Semenyo ahead of Rayan Cherki in the playmaker role looked like a misstep, particularly against an opposition intent on sitting deep. —Thom Harris, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1788, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for misstep

• bicep
• doorstep
• footstep
• instep
• lockstep
• sidestep
• cep
• hep
• pep
• prep
• rep
• sep

Kids Definition

misstep

noun

mis·​step (ˈ)mis-ˈstep 

1

: a wrong step

2

: mistake entry 2 sense 2, blunder