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
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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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to underestimate
to make an incorrect judgment regarding
you seriously mistake me if you think I scare so easily
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3
as in to confuse
to fail to differentiate (a thing) from something similar or related
she mistook physical attraction for love
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of mistake
Olivia McIntosh,
Martha Stewart,
29 June 2026
Having Supergirl go second after Superman in this precarious DCU launch window felt like a mistake at baseline.
—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2026
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 June 2026
The cultural mistake is mistaking exposure and awareness for outcome.
—
Daren Smith,
IndieWire,
24 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for mistake
Noun
Another frequent mistake is over-saucing the pasta, treating it like soup by pouring a heavy layer over plain pasta, which, as Rummo notes, can cause the sauce to sink to the bottom of the bowl.
—
Olivia McIntosh,
Martha Stewart,
29 June 2026
Having Supergirl go second after Superman in this precarious DCU launch window felt like a mistake at baseline.
—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2026
Verb
One of the birds people are most likely to mistake for a whooping crane is a sandhill crane, its closest relative.
—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 June 2026
The cultural mistake is mistaking exposure and awareness for outcome.
—
Daren Smith,
IndieWire,
24 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for mistake
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mistake
Noun
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Colorado's rally offset a pair of baserunning blunders that ended the eighth.
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One Republican senator calling this the worst foreign policy blunder in decades.
Noun
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With Yerry De los Santos also fumbling a bunt in the eighth, the Yanks tallied a season-high four errors on the night.
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Michael Conforto, Alex Bregman and Ian Happ had RBI hits in the sixth, when the Cubs’ runs were unearned thanks to a pair of errors.
Verb
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Leaders often misunderstand good work, relying on perks rather than addressing core structural issues.
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Do not rush to defend yourself if someone misunderstands your tone.
Verb
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Green said earlier this year that Adebayo shouldn’t be underestimated and his 83-point game against Washington shouldn’t be discredited.
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That economic toll shouldn’t be underestimated as solutions are developed.
Verb
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The decision reverses a June 15 determination by Division of Elections Director Carol Beecher, who concluded the Petersburg resident's candidacy was intended to confuse voters rather than represent a legitimate campaign.
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The senator and allies, including the National Republican Senatorial Committee, have condemned the challenger’s efforts to join the race, arguing his presence could confuse voters.
Noun
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In an era of higher funding costs and unpredictable liquidity windows, the penalty for misjudgment compounds quickly.
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Municipal utilities are largely unregulated, which makes misjudgments in purchasing power contracts a serious risk to local ratepayers.
Verb
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My jaw is still on the floor over this can’t-miss $1 makeup deal.
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Don’t miss our guide with nearly two-dozen new bar openings across the city.
Verb
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Meanwhile, Scheffler misjudged his approach and scrambled to save par.
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Koulibaly misjudged a clearance and goalkeeper Edouard Mendy was unable to keep out substitute Marcus Pedersen’s rasping shot to give Norway the lead close to halftime.
Cite this Entry
“Mistake.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mistake. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.
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