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
Burns has requested IndieWire not get too detailed so as not to spoil the podcast, but underlined that this breakthrough came through a series of mistakes. Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 13 June 2025 But it’s worked better than anyone could have imagined, controlling games with possession and limiting mistakes in the back. Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 June 2025
Verb
Style-wise, there's no mistaking Gilgeous-Alexander for either Cleveland's Donovan Mitchell or Brunson. Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025 Miyashiro, who grew up in San Jose and is in his mid-40s, could be mistaken for a skater or surfer decades younger if not for his long, gray hair. Christine Terrisse, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for mistake
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mistake
Noun
  • Other big moments in Trump’s presidency include the leak of U.S. military attack plans to Atlantic editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg, what was widely considered to be the first major blunder of his second term.
    Sara Dorn, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
  • By the 10th, all those blunders faded into the background of their third win in three tries since Posey’s shocking flurry of roster moves.
    Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 6 June 2025
Noun
  • That poll surveyed 658 Virginia residents between May 12 and May 19, and has a weighted margin of error of 5.25 percent.
    Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 June 2025
  • Many small business workers may not have digital access or face language barriers when missing paperwork or tech errors can result in automatic loss of coverage.
    Rhett Buttle, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025
Verb
  • To critics, Vance misunderstood Europe's emphasis on social cohesion.
    Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 June 2025
  • In that ruling, the Supreme Court said lower courts were misunderstanding their methodology.
    Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 3 June 2025
Verb
  • From the day she was born, Woodward was underestimated, says her mom, Darcy.
    Eileen Finan, People.com, 12 June 2025
  • Why Listening Beats Predicting Many organizations underestimate the power of simply listening to what customers are saying and doing right now.
    Ali Behnam, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
Verb
  • Map their journey to spot every gap, make buying effortless with fewer steps, communicate clearly so no one gets confused, add personal touches that create connection, and follow up fast to turn buyers into advocates.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
  • Letters: Washington, D.C., has a deficit of humanity Do not confuse my warning to Israel for a shred of understanding for what Hamas did on Oct. 7, 2023.
    Thomas L. Friedman, Mercury News, 14 June 2025
Verb
  • Dom missed an awkward 619 and Octagon Jr. regained control.
    Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025
  • Seattle have missed the MLS Cup play-offs just once since debuting in 2009, failing to make the postseason in 2022.
    Jeff Rueter, New York Times, 8 June 2025
Verb
  • Greg Ip, the chief economics commentator for The Wall Street Journal, writes that both Wall Street and Main Street have misjudged the president.
    Hersh Shefrin, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025
  • In one classic example cited in Science Advances, judges frequently misjudge a defendant’s risk of reoffending.
    Robert Pearl, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
Noun
  • Russian military bloggers have been largely critical of Iran over its military failures, blaming its strategic miscalculations.
    Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 19 June 2025
  • The most immediate risk at the present is that of retaliation, miscalculation, and escalation, which could spiral into a regional conflict or all out war.
    Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mistake.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mistake. Accessed 22 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on mistake

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!