misstep

noun

mis·​step ˌmis-ˈstep How to pronounce misstep (audio)
Synonyms of misstepnext
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The hope is better incident tracking and analysis could help regulators avoid the missteps seen with social media and respond quickly to emerging harms. Harry Booth, Time, 19 Jan. 2026 There have been a few missteps, but Los Angeles’s big bets usually pay off. Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 18 Jan. 2026 Wallpaper is another frequent misstep. Angelika Pokovba, Martha Stewart, 17 Jan. 2026 From dusty top-of-the-cabinet vignettes to garbage bins that steal the spotlight, there’s no shortage of design missteps that can bring down a kitchen’s look. Marisa Suzanne Martin, The Spruce, 17 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for misstep

Word History

First Known Use

1788, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of misstep was in 1788

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Cite this Entry

“Misstep.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/misstep. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.

Kids Definition

misstep

noun
mis·​step (ˈ)mis-ˈstep How to pronounce misstep (audio)
1
: a wrong step
2

More from Merriam-Webster on misstep

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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