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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of mistake
Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Sep. 2025
Common Mistakes To Avoid Other than use abrasive cleaners and tools like steel wool, there are a few other common mistakes to avoid with stainless steel.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 19 Sep. 2025
Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 27 Sep. 2025
Although shoppers sometimes mistake this as a surcharge, under state law it is considered a legal discount.
—Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mistake
Noun
This defense thrives on causing havoc, and forcing mistakes and turnovers was the main reason the Mustangs rolled last season.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Sep. 2025
Common Mistakes To Avoid Other than use abrasive cleaners and tools like steel wool, there are a few other common mistakes to avoid with stainless steel.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 19 Sep. 2025
Verb
Finally, don’t mistake Brooks Camp for the entire park.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 27 Sep. 2025
Although shoppers sometimes mistake this as a surcharge, under state law it is considered a legal discount.
—Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mistake
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mistake
Noun
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The harsh taste of a blunder at Bethpage Black.—
Brendan Quinn,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Again, special teams blunders set the defense up in poor position, but the defense ultimately coughed up big gains on the ground.—
Mike Kaye
September 28,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Vehicles included in this recall may have an error in the instrument panel software at startup, failing to show speed, brake system information, and tire pressure warning lights.—
Olivia Evans,
Louisville Courier Journal,
3 Oct. 2025
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Yes, plenty of errors were made — six of them by shortstop Trevor Story in September alone — but errors are different from gaffes.—
Steve Buckley,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Carr would never admit to that, instead taking the time at the Concordia talk to blame Democrats for misunderstanding his job at the FCC.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
23 Sep. 2025
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As Augmented Intelligence Chopra believes most people fundamentally misunderstand what AI actually is.—
Bernard Marr,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But that underestimates both the level of competition then — being a contemporary of the Big Three is not ideal in that regard — and how few players make the jump from junior prodigy to serial winner.—
James Hansen,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
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Last year, Hayward officials made some significant miscalculations in the city’s budget — overestimating revenue, underestimating expenses and making a sizable purchase of a movie theater downtown that drained $31 million from the city’s reserves, according to city officials.—
Chase Hunter,
Mercury News,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Crotz was initially confused as to why Kjartan had closed himself inside.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
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CarShield has received positive comments for its breadth of coverage and quick response times, although some policyholders have complained about claim denials, fine-print surprises and confusing sales practices.—
Brian Sloan,
CNBC,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Torsten Sløk, chief economist at Apollo Global Management, said forecasts of an imminent slowdown have been repeatedly wrong, and the economics profession should start grappling with its track record of misjudgments.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
1 Oct. 2025
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More concerning for the Seahawks than Macdonald’s misjudgment was the fact that Charbonnet’s run wasn’t close to being successful.—
Michael-Shawn Dugar,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Evidence of damage includes chewed, cut or missing leaves; yellowing or brown leaves; white webbing and green-black excrement on or around the plant, according to the Ohio Department of Agriculture.—
Chad Murphy,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
2 Oct. 2025
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One bullet missed her eye and the other her brain by mere centimeters.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Williams surrendered two runs, though the first wasn’t really his fault, as Martínez misjudged a ball in center field, resulting in a double.—
Zack Meisel,
New York Times,
24 Sep. 2025
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Emirati leaders’ response, marked by swift condemnations and the prompt visit of a historically high-ranking delegation to Doha, indicate that Israel’s government seriously misjudged the situation.—
Monica Marks,
Time,
19 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mistake.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mistake. Accessed 4 Oct. 2025.
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