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
There could be no mistaking what band was blasting out of all those boomboxes and car radios.
—
Andy Cush, Pitchfork, 9 May 2026
There is no mistaking Sherman’s ownership as even remotely successful thus far.
—Greg Cote
may 7, Miami Herald, 7 May 2026
Gangsta rap’s effectiveness as a prosecutorial tool, like the minstrel shows before it, depends on audiences mistaking caricature for authenticity, and hinges on hearing artistic expression as documentary evidence of criminal actions.
—A.d. Carson, The Conversation, 6 May 2026
Outside state lines, the perception of The Big D aligns with the eponymous prime time soap opera saga, often mistaking the Stockyards as within city limits (much to neighboring Fort Worth’s dismay).
—Nathanael Gassett, Bon Appetit Magazine, 30 Apr. 2026
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
Andy Cush, Pitchfork, 9 May 2026
There is no mistaking Sherman’s ownership as even remotely successful thus far.
—Greg Cote
may 7, Miami Herald, 7 May 2026
Gangsta rap’s effectiveness as a prosecutorial tool, like the minstrel shows before it, depends on audiences mistaking caricature for authenticity, and hinges on hearing artistic expression as documentary evidence of criminal actions.
—A.d. Carson, The Conversation, 6 May 2026
Outside state lines, the perception of The Big D aligns with the eponymous prime time soap opera saga, often mistaking the Stockyards as within city limits (much to neighboring Fort Worth’s dismay).
—Nathanael Gassett, Bon Appetit Magazine, 30 Apr. 2026
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
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
-
The Elegoo Jupiter 2 3D printer shows flashes of excellence with its massive build volume and striking print quality, but uneven automation, confusing UI menus, and a still-maturing workflow limit its appeal.—
Michael Lydick,
PC Magazine,
2 May 2026
-
Amanda Peet has had people confusing her for Lake Bell at restaurants, airports, red carpets and everywhere in between.—
Laura Lane,
PEOPLE,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
We now are faced with missing holidays with them to comply with their demands.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
10 May 2026
-
Just 93 seconds later, with the Wild on its first power play of the game and Wedgewood missing his stick, Hughes scored his fourth goal of the playoffs, giving Minnesota its first multi-goal lead of the series.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
10 May 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
-
Neighbors like the crypto mine next door to Shadden are what data center opponents want to avoid, though data center industry cautions against conflating the two.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 May 2026
-
What most people get wrong is conflating the theme of the exhibition with the dress code for the evening.—
José Criales-Unzueta,
Vanity Fair,
2 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mistaking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mistaking. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
