1
as in defective
having a fault
that engine noise indicates that something is clearly amiss
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in wrong
not appropriate for a particular occasion or situation
official recognition would not be amiss after that spectacular effort
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in incorrectly
in a mistaken or inappropriate way
I hope that my suggestion that you might be more comfortable in a larger chair was not taken amiss
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in awry
off the desired or intended path or course
the reenactment of the Wright Brothers' first flight went amiss when the wind died on the makeshift runway and the plane stopped short in a mud puddle
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of amiss
Charu Sinha, Vulture, 1 Feb. 2026
This is our first warning sign that something is amiss, since ten-minute miles are a very different form of exercise for a fit 30-year-old and a mostly sedentary 80-year-old.
—Alex Hutchinson, Outside, 30 Jan. 2026
Leah Asmelash, CNN, 21 Aug. 2019
This connectivity can provide a sense of brain organization, and there's a growing body of evidence that this organization goes amiss in those with neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders.
—Diana Gitig, Ars Technica, 12 Apr. 2018
See All Example Sentences for amiss
Adjective
Later in the episode, Weekend Update fared much better, dedicating a solid five minutes at the top of the segment to the biggest Trump goings-on of the week (a Kristi Noem dog joke is never amiss).
—Charu Sinha, Vulture, 1 Feb. 2026
This is our first warning sign that something is amiss, since ten-minute miles are a very different form of exercise for a fit 30-year-old and a mostly sedentary 80-year-old.
—Alex Hutchinson, Outside, 30 Jan. 2026
Adverb
The whole incident -- from realizing something was going amiss to hitting the water -- only lasted one or two minutes.
—Leah Asmelash, CNN, 21 Aug. 2019
This connectivity can provide a sense of brain organization, and there's a growing body of evidence that this organization goes amiss in those with neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders.
—Diana Gitig, Ars Technica, 12 Apr. 2018
See All Example Sentences for amiss
Recent Examples of Synonyms for amiss
Adjective
-
Weakening contingency representation will lead to unchecked wrongdoing, unsafe workplaces, defective products, and discrimination without accountability.—
Ben Crump,
New York Daily News,
3 Mar. 2026
-
There was also a Malick Thiaw blunder from which Beto should have scored — the ball may have gone out of play — that typified Newcastle’s generally defective defending.—
Chris Waugh,
New York Times,
2 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The helpful staff won’t steer you wrong.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Mar. 2026
-
An officer monitoring a vehicle X-ray machine did not detect anything wrong with the vehicle, but another officer doing a physical inspection spotted the woman’s foot, according to the complaint.—
Alex Riggins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
In Texas, drivers who incorrectly enter, exit or misuse an HOV lane could be fined no more than $100.—
Ella Gonzales,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Due to an editing error, a previous version of this story incorrectly stated the date of the incident.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The Knicks were held to less than 100 points for only the seventh time and had their fourth-worst three-point shooting performance of the season, going eight for 34.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
-
The Pacers have the second-worst record in the NBA, 1 ½ games better than Sacramento.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The statement came after Bloomberg reported that Oracle and OpenAI had dropped plans to expand the site, though Oracle said media reports regarding Abilene were incorrect.—
Jordan Novet,
CNBC,
10 Mar. 2026
-
He was charged in 2013 with tax fraud for filing an incorrect return tied to a Ponzi scheme operated by another man.—
Nick Penzenstadler,
USA Today,
10 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
The stinger on the scene, where Katie flees and Greg mistakenly gets caught peeping on two girls smooching, is good for some giggles.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
9 Mar. 2026
-
In 1988, the US navy mistakenly shot down an Iranian passenger jet in the Persian Gulf, killing all 290 people on board.—
The Week UK,
TheWeek,
8 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Mohammad and one of his sons, who was a Lebanese soldier, were killed, while the other was badly hurt.—
Justin Salhani,
The Dial,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Getting a stopper was something the team badly needed.—
Dom Luszczyszyn,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
This is about anxious characters with broken hearts, about strangers reaching out to each other, about loss and imperfect love.—
The Know,
Denver Post,
8 Mar. 2026
-
To refuse to change yourself, to embrace your imperfect smile or your natural hair texture, was sedition, and it would not be tolerated.—
Sophie Gilbert,
The Atlantic,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Amiss.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/amiss. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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