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

Kids often remember the funny mishaps more than the perfect days. —Lauren Schuster, Kansas City Star, 25 Mar. 2026

The Dodgers’ new ribbon boards were delayed by a shipping mishap. —Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2026

Family and friends are mourning a teenager killed in a golf cart mishap near Lake Norman on Monday. —Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 24 Mar. 2026

In pursuing those claims, the aggrieved generally try to prove a resort demonstrated gross negligence by contributing in some significant way to their mishap. —Gregory Thomas, San Francisco Chronicle, 18 Mar. 2026