1
as in misunderstanding
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in underestimating
to make an incorrect judgment regarding
you seriously mistake me if you think I scare so easily
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in confusing
to fail to differentiate (a thing) from something similar or related
she mistook physical attraction for love
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 mistaking
When a Southern California resident spotted a fleshy purple organism on the shore, she might have been forgiven for mistaking it for a fungus.
—
Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 23 Apr. 2026
That dynamic pops up in much of Paul’s dialogue, which has a Saturday Night Live habit of mistaking pop-culture references in the shape of jokes for actual humor.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 21 Apr. 2026
Meet Kristina Phillips Interior Design Design studio Escala Forma isn’t afraid to lean all the way into the tropical tropes of its hometown mixing banana-leaf motifs, wicker furniture, and pastel pink in one particular project so that there’s absolutely no mistaking its location, Miami.
—Dan Howarth, Architectural Digest, 19 Apr. 2026
Leaving clean laundry in the dryer or hamper only puts off a chore until later, keeps clean clothes from its proper place, and also risks wrinkles or someone accidentally mistaking it for dirty laundry instead.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 19 Apr. 2026
Sabrina Carpenter has issued an apology for mistaking Zaghrouta, a celebratory Arabic chant, for yodeling during her 2026 headlining Coachella set.
—Mckinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 11 Apr. 2026
Sabrina Carpenter on Saturday issued an apology on X after mistaking a fan’s Zaghrouta, an Arabic celebration call, with yodeling during her headlining Coachella set on Friday night.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 11 Apr. 2026
Cooper is enormous, and there is no mistaking his power.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Apr. 2026
American humor has always been a tool for questioning orthodoxy, challenging certainty and keeping people from mistaking their sacred stories for reality.
—Robert Lynch, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 23 Apr. 2026
That dynamic pops up in much of Paul’s dialogue, which has a Saturday Night Live habit of mistaking pop-culture references in the shape of jokes for actual humor.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 21 Apr. 2026
Meet Kristina Phillips Interior Design Design studio Escala Forma isn’t afraid to lean all the way into the tropical tropes of its hometown mixing banana-leaf motifs, wicker furniture, and pastel pink in one particular project so that there’s absolutely no mistaking its location, Miami.
—Dan Howarth, Architectural Digest, 19 Apr. 2026
Leaving clean laundry in the dryer or hamper only puts off a chore until later, keeps clean clothes from its proper place, and also risks wrinkles or someone accidentally mistaking it for dirty laundry instead.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 19 Apr. 2026
Sabrina Carpenter has issued an apology for mistaking Zaghrouta, a celebratory Arabic chant, for yodeling during her 2026 headlining Coachella set.
—Mckinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 11 Apr. 2026
Sabrina Carpenter on Saturday issued an apology on X after mistaking a fan’s Zaghrouta, an Arabic celebration call, with yodeling during her headlining Coachella set on Friday night.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 11 Apr. 2026
Cooper is enormous, and there is no mistaking his power.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Apr. 2026
American humor has always been a tool for questioning orthodoxy, challenging certainty and keeping people from mistaking their sacred stories for reality.
—Robert Lynch, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mistaking
Verb
-
David Schurman Wallace on misunderstanding Gertrude Stein.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Apr. 2026
-
This could be along the lines of a passive-aggressive email or a coworker misunderstanding your tone.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Investors are dangerously underestimating the lasting impact of the Middle East war, as markets rally on optimism over a ceasefire agreement and rapid economic rebound.—
Hugh Leask,
CNBC,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Investors may be seriously underestimating the global economic impacts of the war in Iran, executives warned Thursday.—
J.D. Capelouto,
semafor.com,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Welcome to Asking for a Friend, a weekly series dedicated to solving the messy, awkward, and confusing parts of modern friendship.—
Jenna Ryu,
SELF,
22 Apr. 2026
-
But factors like confusing trailheads and limited provisions mean that going alone also comes with unique risks.—
Allison Forsyth,
Health,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Red Sox finished third in the AL East the next season, missing the playoffs for the first time in five years.—
Jimmy Golen,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
-
While the Giants addressed wide receiver, a big missing piece remains in boosting the defensive tackle spot.—
Charlotte Carroll,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Overpaying for early acquisitions, misjudging theatrical performance, or relying on complex financing structures can all compound quickly in a market with thin margins and unpredictable returns.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
23 Mar. 2026
-
By adjusting force in real time, robots may be able to interact more naturally with fragile objects and unpredictable environments without over-gripping, slipping, or misjudging contact.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The Beauty is about wanting to nip and tuck ourselves into better versions, but conflating that desire with actual scientific research is odd.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
10 Mar. 2026
-
The report states that a series of conflating issues, such as widespread budget cuts, technological disruption, the dominance of streamers, and economic instability, have caused the feeling of fear and crisis across the industry.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mistaking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mistaking. Accessed 29 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
