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

The scramble to ready the facility led to a string of other irregularities and mishaps. — Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 13 July 2026

The mishap set up for one of White's most memorable post-fight rants in recent memory. — Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 13 July 2026

The White House did not respond to Entertainment Weekly's request for comment regarding Thursday's technical mishap. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 2 July 2026

Not the only mishap at JFK on Monday On Monday afternoon, a helicopter pilot reported seeing a remote control airplane fly near his aircraft. — Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 29 June 2026