Synonyms of mishap

mishap

noun

ˈmis-ˌhap 

1

as in accident

a chance and usually sudden event bringing loss or injury

the usual mishaps of a family vacation

Synonyms & Similar Words

• accident
• casualty
• disaster
• mischance
• catastrophe
• tragedy
• misfortune
• calamity
• crash
• misadventure
• collision
• cropper
• wreck
• cataclysm
• deathblow
• smashup
• knock
• bummer
• crack-up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• miracle
• strike
• break
• windfall
• boon
• luck
• fluke
• fortune
• godsend
• serendipity

2

as in misfortune

bad luck or an example of this

mishap followed wherever he went

Synonyms & Similar Words

• misfortune
• tragedy
• accident
• disaster
• misadventure
• hardship
• trouble
• catastrophe
• ill
• mischance
• adversity
• trial
• misery
• fate
• calamity
• circumstance
• knock
• disappointment
• suffering
• blow
• sorrow
• defeat
• doom
• distress
• failure
• woe
• casualty
• setback
• curse
• unhappiness
• tribulation
• evil
• cataclysm
• destiny
• affliction
• portion
• letdown
• fizzle
• body blow
• nonsuccess
• lot

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• luck
• opportunity
• fortune
• chance
• stroke
• success
• strike
• serendipity
• break
• hit
• fluke
• windfall
• achievement
• accomplishment
• godsend

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun mishap differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of mishap are adversity, mischance, and misfortune. While all these words mean "adverse fortune or an instance of this," mishap applies to an often trivial instance of bad luck.

the usual mishaps of a family vacation

When is it sensible to use adversity instead of mishap?

The words adversity and mishap are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, adversity applies to a state of grave or persistent misfortune.

had never experienced great adversity

When can mischance be used instead of mishap?

The meanings of mischance and mishap largely overlap; however, mischance applies especially to a situation involving no more than slight inconvenience or minor annoyance.

took the wrong road by mischance

In what contexts can misfortune take the place of mishap?

The synonyms misfortune and mishap are sometimes interchangeable, but misfortune may apply to either the incident or conjunction of events that is the cause of an unhappy change of fortune or to the ensuing state of distress.

never lost hope even in the depths of misfortune

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of mishap

Samuel was previously involved in a mishap with a yellow Lamborghini while visiting 777 Exotics, a luxury car rental dealership in the Los Angeles area, with his father and Affleck's then-fiancée, Jennifer Lopez, in June 2022. — Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026

Coffee spills, muddy shoes, pet mishaps, and everyday messes don’t have to turn into decorating disasters. — Ethan Stone october 9, Idaho Statesman, 9 Oct. 2026

Tonsager is prepared for more mishaps and inevitable adversity in Turkey, where Trees says riders will encounter a diverse course that features pine-filled, mountainous sections contrasted with high-plateau, desert conditions. — Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 4 Oct. 2026

Many more hurdles rained down in the three decades that followed — music industry changes, family demands, divorces, the pandemic, microphone mishaps, and recently, a management switch. — Leena Tailor, Rolling Stone, 2 Oct. 2026