mistake 1 of 2

Definition of mistakenext

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
Why People Misunderstand This Intelligence The first mistake people make is confusing integrative intelligence with being broadly knowledgeable. Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026 The Orioles have made a big mistake, in my opinion, promoting someone who is pushing for policies that are clearly anti-woman while being clearly politically divisive. Jon Root Outkick, FOXNews.com, 27 June 2026
Verb
The cultural mistake is mistaking exposure and awareness for outcome. Daren Smith, IndieWire, 24 June 2026 In the end, reverence for the likes of Genghis Khan, Hitler, and Attila the Hun mistakes fear for respect, destruction for disruption, and raw terror for true greatness. Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 24 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for mistake
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mistake
Noun
  • Colorado's rally offset a pair of baserunning blunders that ended the eighth.
    ABC News, ABC News, 22 June 2026
  • One Republican senator calling this the worst foreign policy blunder in decades.
    CBS News, CBS News, 21 June 2026
Noun
  • With Yerry De los Santos also fumbling a bunt in the eighth, the Yanks tallied a season-high four errors on the night.
    Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 26 June 2026
  • 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.
    Jerry Beach, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2026
Verb
  • The county argues the grand jury fundamentally misunderstood what happened before the explosion, saying its investigation relied on speculation instead of evidence and wrongly blamed county officials for a criminal enterprise prosecutors say was built on years of deception.
    Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 23 June 2026
  • This phase is where investors often misunderstand turnarounds.
    Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026
Verb
  • Don’t underestimate that part in how this will play out.
    Pierre LeBrun, New York Times, 27 June 2026
  • Finally, and most important, underestimating the need for AC has left millions of people suffering through the hottest days of their lives with no recourse.
    Henry Grabar, The Atlantic, 27 June 2026
Verb
  • 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.
    Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 27 June 2026
  • 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.
    Becky Bohrer, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2026
Noun
  • Municipal utilities are largely unregulated, which makes misjudgments in purchasing power contracts a serious risk to local ratepayers.
    Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 20 June 2026
  • Aside from a misjudgment that led to Brighton’s equaliser last month, Danso has been excellent and a significant reason why Tottenham avoided the drop under the Italian.
    Elias Burke, New York Times, 25 May 2026
Verb
  • My jaw is still on the floor over this can’t-miss $1 makeup deal.
    Madeline Merinuk, PEOPLE, 24 June 2026
  • Don’t miss our guide with nearly two-dozen new bar openings across the city.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2026
Verb
  • 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.
    Monica Alba, NBC news, 24 June 2026
  • Latvian intelligence argues that Putin is not only looking for ways to pressure NATO countries to back off Ukraine, but may also be receiving distorted assessments from inside his own system — raising the risk that Russia could misjudge Western resolve.
    Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 22 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Mistake.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mistake. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.

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