Synonyms of mistake

mistake 1 of 2

noun

1

as in blunder

a wrong judgment

they made a mistake when they thought the young pitcher was ready to be called up to the major leagues

Synonyms & Similar Words

• blunder
• error
• misjudgment
• miscalculation
• trip
• misstep
• misunderstanding
• misapprehension
• slipup
• slip
• misjudging
• fault
• stumble
• inaccuracy
• fumble
• miscue
• flub
• gaffe
• goof
• misstatement
• lapse
• errancy
• misconception
• misinterpretation
• boob
• clinker
• misconstruction
• muff
• boner
• foul-up
• misimpression
• misconstruing
• misprision

2

as in error

an unintentional departure from truth or accuracy

made a mistake on the exam that almost cost her a passing grade

Synonyms & Similar Words

• blunder
• error
• stumble
• fault
• trip
• fumble
• misstep
• inaccuracy
• miscue
• brick
• flub
• gaffe
• goof
• screwup
• slip
• slipup
• gaff
• lapse
• bobble
• oversight
• misunderstanding
• clanger
• boob
• clinker
• boo-boo
• fluff
• blooper
• howler
• misjudgment
• pratfall
• miscalculation
• snafu
• misstatement
• misreading
• misconception
• misinterpretation
• bloomer
• misconstruction
• misapprehension
• miscomprehension
• misdescription
• boner
• misimpression
• foul-up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• accuracy
• precision
• correctness
• exactness
• exactitude
• strictness
• perfection
• preciseness
• infallibility
• inerrancy

mistake

2 of 2

verb

mə-ˈstāk 

1

as in to misunderstand

to fail to understand the true or actual meaning of

the auctioneer mistook my nod for a bid, and I ended up buying a painting I don't even like

Synonyms & Similar Words

• misunderstand
• miss
• misread
• misconstrue
• misapprehend
• misinterpret
• misperceive
• misjudge
• misknow
• misconceive
• misdeem
• mishear

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• know
• understand
• see
• appreciate
• perceive
• catch
• get
• comprehend
• grasp
• apprehend
• make out
• seize
• conceive
• take in
• fathom
• penetrate
• savvy
• grok

2

as in to underestimate

to make an incorrect judgment regarding

you seriously mistake me if you think I scare so easily

Synonyms & Similar Words

• misunderstand
• underestimate
• misjudge
• miscalculate
• misconceive
• misestimate
• mismeasure
• misdeem
• misgauge
• misconstrue
• overestimate
• misapprehend
• misperceive
• misinterpret
• undervalue
• overrate
• overvalue
• underrate
• miscount
• misknow
• misesteem
• misreckon

3

as in to confuse

to fail to differentiate (a thing) from something similar or related

she mistook physical attraction for love

Synonyms & Similar Words

• confuse
• mix (up)
• conflate
• confound
• lump (together)
• misapply
• misidentify
• miscall
• misname

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• difference
• distinguish
• separate
• differentiate
• discriminate

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun mistake differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of mistake are blunder, error, lapse, and slip. While all these words mean "a departure from what is true, right, or proper," mistake implies misconception or inadvertence and usually expresses less criticism than error.

dialed the wrong number by mistake

Where would blunder be a reasonable alternative to mistake?

The words blunder and mistake can be used in similar contexts, but blunder regularly imputes stupidity or ignorance as a cause and connotes some degree of blame.

diplomatic blunders

When is it sensible to use error instead of mistake?

The synonyms error and mistake are sometimes interchangeable, but error suggests the existence of a standard or guide and a straying from the right course through failure to make effective use of this.

procedural errors

When can lapse be used instead of mistake?

While in some cases nearly identical to mistake, lapse stresses forgetfulness, weakness, or inattention as a cause.

a lapse in judgment

When could slip be used to replace mistake?

The words slip and mistake are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, slip stresses inadvertence or accident and applies especially to trivial but embarrassing mistakes.

a slip of the tongue

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of mistake

Noun

Waiting so long was the dumbest mistake of my life. —Scott Haugen, Outdoor Life, 13 Aug. 2025

The incident is illustrative of something experts have long feared in the contentious South China Sea; one mistake by one captain or pilot could lead to a superpower military confrontation. —Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2025

Verb

My body mistakes fear for emptiness, exhaustion for need. —Alaa Alqaisi august 13, Literary Hub, 13 Aug. 2025

Once Elio is beamed up to space, the aliens mistake him for the leader of Earth. —Saleen Martin, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2025