1
as in blunder
a wrong judgment
they made a mistake when they thought the young pitcher was ready to be called up to the major leagues
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2
as in error
an unintentional departure from truth or accuracy
made a mistake on the exam that almost cost her a passing grade
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to underestimate
to make an incorrect judgment regarding
you seriously mistake me if you think I scare so easily
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3
as in to confuse
to fail to differentiate (a thing) from something similar or related
she mistook physical attraction for love
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of mistake
Caitlin Pagán, Verywell Health, 21 May 2025
The Board of Trustees acknowledge and apologize for the errors and mistakes made on their part as well.
—Chris Quintana, USA Today, 21 May 2025
Kevin Jacobsen, EW.com, 15 May 2025
Officials have also warned that their toy guns could be mistaken for a real weapon.
—Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for mistake
Noun
Not eating is one of the most common mistakes people make.
—Caitlin Pagán, Verywell Health, 21 May 2025
The Board of Trustees acknowledge and apologize for the errors and mistakes made on their part as well.
—Chris Quintana, USA Today, 21 May 2025
Verb
Alec, Stephen, Billy, and Daniel Baldwin Unlike others on this list, there's no mistaking the Baldwins as brothers.
—Kevin Jacobsen, EW.com, 15 May 2025
Officials have also warned that their toy guns could be mistaken for a real weapon.
—Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for mistake
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mistake
Noun
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But the internal investigation promised by department leaders — a probe of what accounted for the delays and blunders — seemed to go nowhere.—
Christopher Goffard,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 2025
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The show’s main blunder is that instead of unpacking the various angles of the mob bosses’ corruption, random side stories start popping up.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
15 May 2025
Noun
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Garcia, who denies gang membership, had an immigration court order protecting him from deportation, which the administration acknowledged was an administrative error.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
15 May 2025
-
Look for errors online or by going to the assessor’s office.—
LEW SICHELMAN,
Miami Herald,
14 May 2025
Verb
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Culturally sensitive clinical care is often misunderstood as simply providing surface-level accommodations — offering kosher meals, observing Sabbath restrictions, or including a rabbi on staff.—
Devora Shabtai,
Sun Sentinel,
13 May 2025
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Miller misunderstands the significance of the right of habeas corpus, for starters.—
Ruth Marcus,
New Yorker,
12 May 2025
Verb
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Your notes become both evidence and a reassuring validation that nothing is wrong with you, especially when you are being underestimated.—
Bryan Robinson,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2025
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When the margins are so tight in elite-level football, this distance is not to be underestimated.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
17 May 2025
Verb
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All of the footage from The Rise and Fall of Sanctuary Moon makes the show-within-a-show look silly, which the series confuses with humorousness.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
12 May 2025
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While no one should ever have confused the entertainment business with a warm binkie, the institutions themselves are in the new and awkward spot of having to justify their existence.—
Dana Harris-Bridson,
IndieWire,
12 May 2025
Verb
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Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
People.com,
16 May 2025
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Total Time: 20 mins Servings: 8 Yield: 8 cups Jump to Nutrition Facts Don't miss a single recipe!—
Sarah Martens,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 May 2025
Verb
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City started strongly, but fell behind after Kompany misjudged the bounce of a long ball, allowing Fabio Borini to finish confidently with the outside of his boot.—
Thom Harris,
New York Times,
17 May 2025
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Witty admitted the company had misjudged the depth of the risk score problem.—
Seth Joseph,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2025
Noun
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But comfort didn't save him from one of the biggest miscalculations of his career.—
Devlina Sarkar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 May 2025
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Weakening the university-defense research partnership is a strategic miscalculation with far-reaching consequences.—
Sarah Kreps,
Foreign Affairs,
29 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mistake.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mistake. Accessed 25 May. 2025.
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