mistake 1 of 2

mistake

2 of 2

verb

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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.
Recent Examples of mistake
Noun
Bernstein and Greene agreed that due to the lack of comprehensive data privacy legislation, YouTubers who want to appeal AI mistakes do not have great options. Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 31 July 2025 Players must diagnose what went wrong, accept mistakes and find people who can support them to seek alignment in principles and values. George Atallah, Sportico.com, 31 July 2025
Verb
These fish-out-of-water gags tap into the same sensibility that once led some viewers, along with plenty of people who never actually watched the show, to mistake King of the Hill for some right-wing send-up of liberal excess. Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 25 July 2025 On the way home from the college town's Five Points bar scene, in the early morning hours, Josephson mistook Rowland's car for an Uber and was abducted. Alexandra Koch , Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 22 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for mistake
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mistake
Noun
  • Its acquisitions in consumer banking were at worst blunders and at best decent deals struck in pursuit of a doomed strategy.
    Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 21 July 2025
  • Consider how McDonald's had to end an experiment with AI drive-thru ordering due to blunders that led to customer frustration and viral videos on social media.
    Rishi Kumar, Forbes.com, 17 July 2025
Noun
  • Without a robust knowledge foundation, these early wins can mask serious risks—from compliance breaches to costly decision errors.
    Stéphane Donzé, Forbes.com, 25 July 2025
  • Pilot error caused the crash, according to a final report from the National Transportation Safety Board.
    Perry Vandell, AZCentral.com, 25 July 2025
Verb
  • Here are two key areas of the program that Americans tend to misunderstand: 1.
    Lorie Konish, CNBC, 24 July 2025
  • Actors may be influenced by emotion or misinformation, collude or form cartels, misunderstand incentives or lack information.
    Ali Faizan Rizvi, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
Verb
  • What People Are Saying Hawaii Governor Josh Green urged residents to evacuate all coastal areas immediately, warning them not to underestimate the threat.
    Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 July 2025
  • Finally, don’t underestimate the training needed for successful adoption.
    Govinda Rao Banothu, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025
Verb
  • Baun’s ability to play on the line of scrimmage allowed defensive coordinator Vic Fangio to shift the front with Baun moving from off-ball to edge or vice versa right before the snap, confusing the blocking assignments for the offense.
    Ted Nguyen, New York Times, 23 July 2025
  • The snake is also easily confused with the Brahminy blind snake, also known as the flowerpot snake, an invasive species in Barbados, according to Re:wild.
    Bailey Richards, People.com, 23 July 2025
Verb
  • Pro Bowl quarterback Matthew Stafford was expected to miss the first handful of practices with a sore back, but head coach Sean McVay gave an update on Stafford's status on Saturday that likely has Rams fans at least a little concerned.
    Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 July 2025
  • Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
    Nicholas Rice, People.com, 27 July 2025
Verb
  • Even the most seasoned founders can misjudge the boundaries of these regimes.
    Irina Heaver, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
  • Such risks are particularly acute for recreational paddlers, boaters, and families, as people may misjudge the risk due to the pleasant atmosphere above water.
    Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 2025
Noun
  • The financial stakes at play highlight the magnitude of their miscalculation.
    Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 July 2025
  • Bush’s miscalculation cost 4,431 American soldiers their lives, plus another 31,994 injured, plus 295,000 Iraqi lives.
    Tom Zirpoli, Baltimore Sun, 24 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Mistake.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mistake. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.

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