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
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Recent Examples of mistaking
And lately, Prime’s recommendations algorithm seems to have taken a shine to it — perhaps mistaking it for a sharp spy game as its human predecessors did, or perhaps not.
—
Claire McNear, Rolling Stone, 8 Nov. 2025
Logic detects patterns and refines them, mistaking iteration for innovation.
—Big Think, 3 Nov. 2025
But when one of them steps out, there’s no mistaking it.
—Will Brantley, Outdoor Life, 29 Oct. 2025
Getting swept away in the echo chamber — mistaking group hype for true alignment, or chasing ideals without grounding them.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 12 Oct. 2025
Over the last decade, hunters killed more than a dozen grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone area after mistaking them for black bears, reported Mountain Journal.
—Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 7 Oct. 2025
Like mistaking a tube of moisturizer for toothpaste or shampoo for body wash.
—Caelan McMichael, Allure, 7 Oct. 2025
Her father had bought it at the county fair; the vender, mistaking it for yet another replica Native ceremonial mask, had all but given it away.
—David Wright Faladé, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2025
Hough also noted that he was distracted by the It's Complicated star's presence in the audience, persistently mistaking the actor for his own father.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Sep. 2025
Claire McNear, Rolling Stone, 8 Nov. 2025
Logic detects patterns and refines them, mistaking iteration for innovation.
—Big Think, 3 Nov. 2025
But when one of them steps out, there’s no mistaking it.
—Will Brantley, Outdoor Life, 29 Oct. 2025
Getting swept away in the echo chamber — mistaking group hype for true alignment, or chasing ideals without grounding them.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 12 Oct. 2025
Over the last decade, hunters killed more than a dozen grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone area after mistaking them for black bears, reported Mountain Journal.
—Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 7 Oct. 2025
Like mistaking a tube of moisturizer for toothpaste or shampoo for body wash.
—Caelan McMichael, Allure, 7 Oct. 2025
Her father had bought it at the county fair; the vender, mistaking it for yet another replica Native ceremonial mask, had all but given it away.
—David Wright Faladé, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2025
Hough also noted that he was distracted by the It's Complicated star's presence in the audience, persistently mistaking the actor for his own father.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mistaking
Verb
-
Perception can lead to misunderstanding Perception is how countries view each other’s actions.—
Kaleb Demerew,
The Conversation,
3 Nov. 2025
-
But Fox feels people are misunderstanding her intentions.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
1 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Both initially received warm welcomes on the festival circuit, but the lack of hyperbole had many perhaps underestimating them.—
Jenelle Riley,
Variety,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Yet Britain failed to capitalize on the success, underestimating the American ability to regroup and continue fighting.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Perplexity’s image features photographs of people with some truly nightmarish distortions on its wall, while the placement of its sink is confusing and distracting.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
25 Oct. 2025
-
This was out of respect for me, and also to avoid confusing the children.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Despite posting one of the highest payrolls in all of baseball, the Mets ended up missing the postseason following a 4-0 loss to the Miami Marlins in the last game of the regular season.—
Shaun McAvoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Nov. 2025
-
There was always at least one letter missing from the words Racquet Club on the outside of the building.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The survey found that young daters often misinterpret green flags as red flags, misjudging intentions in stereotypical ways.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
-
The other kids have never been happier or more prepared for the standardized tests that will determine their futures, which means their parents are suddenly in love with Maria, and her overbearing principal is sorry for misjudging her.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Speaking to reporters later, the president appeared to be conflating the testing of missiles that deliver a nuclear warhead with the testing of the warheads.—
Khaleda Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
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That’s part of the reason people have such an easy time conflating you with your character.—
McKinley Franklin,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mistaking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mistaking. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
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