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
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, 6 Sep. 2025
But there are some good supporting turns, starting with Henry, Tony’s main Interpol contact, who appears from early episodes to be a good guy the leads are mistaking for a bad guy, although nothing is completely conclusive there right away.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 4 Sep. 2025
Other designers shifted their vision many times, but with Armani, there was no mistaking him.
—Andrea Onate, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2025
The majority of shark bites happen accidentally, with the predators mistaking people for their preferred meal -- smaller fish.
—David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2025
Shift From Oversight To Empowerment A common blind spot for senior leaders is mistaking control for leadership.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Raymond and Randall Purcell accused officers Alexander Paul and Steven Pohorence of mistaking their Star Trek memorabilia for actual weapons when they were called to look into minor damage that was done to one of their cars.
—Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 20 Aug. 2025
TikTok viewers were quick to speculate about the siblings' relationship, with some mistaking her brother for her boyfriend.
—Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Aug. 2025
One man in Colorado says he got addicted to kratom after mistaking it for an alternative to coffee.
—Charles Trepany, USA Today, 6 Aug. 2025
Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 6 Sep. 2025
But there are some good supporting turns, starting with Henry, Tony’s main Interpol contact, who appears from early episodes to be a good guy the leads are mistaking for a bad guy, although nothing is completely conclusive there right away.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 4 Sep. 2025
Other designers shifted their vision many times, but with Armani, there was no mistaking him.
—Andrea Onate, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2025
The majority of shark bites happen accidentally, with the predators mistaking people for their preferred meal -- smaller fish.
—David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2025
Shift From Oversight To Empowerment A common blind spot for senior leaders is mistaking control for leadership.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Raymond and Randall Purcell accused officers Alexander Paul and Steven Pohorence of mistaking their Star Trek memorabilia for actual weapons when they were called to look into minor damage that was done to one of their cars.
—Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 20 Aug. 2025
TikTok viewers were quick to speculate about the siblings' relationship, with some mistaking her brother for her boyfriend.
—Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Aug. 2025
One man in Colorado says he got addicted to kratom after mistaking it for an alternative to coffee.
—Charles Trepany, USA Today, 6 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mistaking
Verb
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The same kind of misunderstanding speckles the discourse around Live Laugh Love, his stellar new album.—
Andre Gee,
Rolling Stone,
29 Aug. 2025
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Common mistakes include misunderstanding your industry's dress code and its subtleties, wearing clothing that doesn't suit your body shape, or choosing silhouettes and colors that distract rather than support a confident presence.—
Stephanie Coughlan,
Forbes.com,
18 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
This reflects the risk of underestimating disability severity in this group throughout patients' disease courses.—
Hannah Millington,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Cracker Barrel missed the mark by underestimating the emotional investment their customers have in the tradition that the original logo represented.—
Edward Segal,
Forbes.com,
27 Aug. 2025
Verb
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In such a large, complex, dangerous, and confusing world, can one person make a difference to anything?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Sep. 2025
-
These fictional AIs tapped into our deepest worries about healthcare—long waits at the doctor's office, confusing medical information and the wish for constant health guidance.—
Sanath Chilakala,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Nassau County police first received a description of the person who was fatally struck on the parkway and then received a call from Christopher's school roughly 15 minutes later about a missing boy, detective Tracey Cabey tells PEOPLE.—
Janelle Griffith,
PEOPLE,
9 Sep. 2025
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The same words apply to the title character at the film‘s center, the inscrutable and seemingly unscrupulous Hedda Gabler (a magnetic Tessa Thompson), here yanked firmly from the late 20th century setting of Henrik Ibsen’s iconic play into the ’50s, and not missing a single trick along the way.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The danger in conflating different stories into a data breach that never was is that users become inured to the real advice.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
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Since it was awarded non-profit status in 1948, the year of the Nakba, the ADL has been committed to strategically conflating Jewishness with Israel.—
Sahar Mustafah
August 27,
Literary Hub,
27 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mistaking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mistaking. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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