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
The running back took full responsibility for the mistake. Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Oct. 2025 However, from time to time mistakes will be made and we will not be held liable. Jacob Camenker, USA Today, 5 Oct. 2025
Verb
But don’t mistake quiet for weakness. Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 30 Sep. 2025 According to Fox 35, deputies mistook Vasquez for their suspect due to a one-letter difference in the spelling of their last names. Latoya Gayle, PEOPLE, 29 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mistake
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mistake
Noun
  • Base running blunder The Tigers had a great chance to put together a big inning in the second, after Trey Sweeney hit a sacrifice fly, knocking in a run.
    Ryan Ford, Freep.com, 6 Oct. 2025
  • That blunder came one series after Slayton had a brutal drop on a 50-yard bomb from Dart that would have put the ball inside the Saints’ 20-yard line.
    Dan Duggan, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The cause of the labeling error is reportedly under investigation.
    Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 9 Oct. 2025
  • His error on Andrés Giménez’s one-out grounder in the seventh inning with a runner on first base was a major blow.
    The Athletic MLB Staff, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Many patients are surprised to learn that watery eyes can actually be a sign of dryness, a common but frequently misunderstood symptom.
    Team Verywell Health, Verywell Health, 6 Oct. 2025
  • But a nurse eventually overhears Archer and Hannah discussing it, and misunderstands the situation.
    Claire Franken, TVLine, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Four points in their opening two Champions League fixtures is also not to be underestimated, even if their 2-2 draw with Bodo/Glimt fell below expectations.
    Mark Carey, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
  • While this may seem very simple, don’t underestimate the power of this accessory.
    Kristine Thomason, Travel + Leisure, 8 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • But this cake isn't an exact replica of their earlier chocolate cake, leaving some guests confused about what this cake is.
    Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Some companies kind of got confused [about] what their true role is and how they’re supposed to be delivering value, and that’s getting a bit corrected now.
    Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 10 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Torsten Sløk, chief economist at Apollo Global Management, said forecasts of an imminent slowdown have been repeatedly wrong, and the economics profession should start grappling with its track record of misjudgments.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2025
  • More concerning for the Seahawks than Macdonald’s misjudgment was the fact that Charbonnet’s run wasn’t close to being successful.
    Michael-Shawn Dugar, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Williams, who for many years was the person on KU’s sideline to race onto the David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium turf to retrieve the tee after kickoffs, from 1970 until 2020 didn’t miss a KU football home game.
    Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 8 Oct. 2025
  • The following clips showed Kourtney and Travis making their way through the scare setup, which included actors dressed up as the film's antagonist The Grabber in the character's terrifying mask, along with a van filled with missing posters for members of Kourtney and Travis' family.
    Kirsty Hatcher, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The team member, who was responsible for the safe conduct of releasing car 16, misjudged the situation and gave unclear instructions to LEC, who could not see NOR’s car.
    Lydia Mee, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Home designer Allisa Jacobs wrote in a blog post that AI routinely misjudges the proportions and sizes of rooms and furniture, suggesting pieces that wouldn’t realistically fit in the space.
    Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 1 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Mistake.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mistake. Accessed 12 Oct. 2025.

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