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

Athletes in this league consistently speak out against everything from poor operational standards within certain organizations to leadership’s missteps. — Annie Costabile, New York Times, 24 July 2026

Learning and growing from any missteps is all part of the game, the serial LinkedIn user says. — Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 23 July 2026

One supposed misstep happened last week, with Mullin’s order temporarily suspending vehicle traffic stops after two fatal shootings by ICE officers in Houston and Maine. — Daniela Suarez, NBC news, 23 July 2026

Starmer resigned just two years after winning a landslide election victory, forced out by his party after missteps and U-turns. — ABC News, 21 July 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