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

In some cases, these missteps may result in the penalty APR applying, which is significantly higher than the regular purchase or balance transfer APR. — Becca Stanek, TheWeek, 14 Oct. 2026

Through the triumphs and missteps of these previous craft, NASA learned how to better explore another planet with a rover operated from millions of miles away. — Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 13 Oct. 2026

But these are minor missteps, considering the language gap around asexuality and aromanticism in Japan. — Kambole Campbell, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026

UnitedHealth heads into Tuesday's report with much of the damage from its prior missteps already priced in. — Michael Khouw, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1788, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for misstep

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

Kids Definition

misstep

noun

mis·​step (ˈ)mis-ˈstep 

1

: a wrong step

2

: mistake entry 2 sense 2, blunder