1
as in misunderstood
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 misjudged
to make an incorrect judgment regarding
you seriously mistake me if you think I scare so easily
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in confused
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 mistook
The report also highlights a February 2025 inmate death from a gang beating that raised serious concerns about whether the victim was unnecessarily exposed to risk by attackers who mistook him for a rival.
—
Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 18 May 2026
In an interview with the Times of London, Burke recalled when Day-Lewis apparently mistook the ghost for his own father.
—Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 18 May 2026
Earlier this year, those pressures became personal for Embrey when a car crashed through Lost Girls Vintage’s Division Street storefront after an elderly driver exiting a nearby drive-thru mistook the gas pedal for the brake.
—Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 15 May 2026
And the Oscar for best documentary feature goes back to Russian filmmaker Pavel Talankin after Transportation Security Administration workers mistook the golden statuette for a weapon and removed it from his carry-on bag for a flight to Germany.
—Corky Siemaszko, NBC news, 1 May 2026
About 90 minutes after the lockdown took effect, the Naval Academy’s deputy commandant emailed students, telling them that as law enforcement worked to secure the school, a midshipman mistook police for a threat and engaged them, according to the official.
—Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026
Curtain calls In 1999, a male hippo in rut apparently mistook a passing tractor at a French zoo for a rival and smashed through his enclosure fencing.
—Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
Either during or just after that exchange of gunfire, the Vincennes crew mistook a passing civilian Airbus passenger jet for an Iranian F-14 fighter.
—Jeffrey Fields, The Conversation, 4 Apr. 2026
The company mistook its own good publicity for mass-market success, Fortune’s Phil Wahba writes.
—Jim Edwards, Fortune, 2 Apr. 2026
Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 18 May 2026
In an interview with the Times of London, Burke recalled when Day-Lewis apparently mistook the ghost for his own father.
—Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 18 May 2026
Earlier this year, those pressures became personal for Embrey when a car crashed through Lost Girls Vintage’s Division Street storefront after an elderly driver exiting a nearby drive-thru mistook the gas pedal for the brake.
—Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 15 May 2026
And the Oscar for best documentary feature goes back to Russian filmmaker Pavel Talankin after Transportation Security Administration workers mistook the golden statuette for a weapon and removed it from his carry-on bag for a flight to Germany.
—Corky Siemaszko, NBC news, 1 May 2026
About 90 minutes after the lockdown took effect, the Naval Academy’s deputy commandant emailed students, telling them that as law enforcement worked to secure the school, a midshipman mistook police for a threat and engaged them, according to the official.
—Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026
Curtain calls In 1999, a male hippo in rut apparently mistook a passing tractor at a French zoo for a rival and smashed through his enclosure fencing.
—Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
Either during or just after that exchange of gunfire, the Vincennes crew mistook a passing civilian Airbus passenger jet for an Iranian F-14 fighter.
—Jeffrey Fields, The Conversation, 4 Apr. 2026
The company mistook its own good publicity for mass-market success, Fortune’s Phil Wahba writes.
—Jim Edwards, Fortune, 2 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mistook
Verb
-
In response to questions about the Mizuho analyst’s conclusions, Muddy Waters founder Carson Block told Fortune by email that the analyst had misunderstood its findings.—
Jeff John Roberts,
Fortune,
25 Mar. 2026
-
The crowd’s reaction, like so much collective behavior in Japan, could easily be misunderstood by outsiders.—
Joshua Hunt,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Lens should already have been level — or even ahead — at the break but striker Wesley Saïd misjudged a close-range header and then shot straight at goalkeeper Matvei Safonov in first-half stoppage time.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 May 2026
-
Mercedes also slightly misjudged its car set-up in the relentless 87F (30C) heat.—
Alex Kalinauckas,
New York Times,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
The company is not to be confused with the music-publishing company of the same name, founded in 2017, the assets of which were recently acquired by Sony Music.—
Jem Aswad,
Variety,
18 May 2026
-
Cassidy also complained that a new primary system enacted last year confused voters by requiring them to ask for a partisan ballot instead of the all-party primary previously in place.—
Thomas Beaumont,
Fortune,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
Martin began his major-league career at the beginning of the downfall of the Rick Hahn rebuild, then missed the 2023 season and most of 2024 recovering from Tommy John surgery, making last year his first full season as a starter.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
24 May 2026
-
The Aces missed a couple of three-pointers and a free throw on their final possessions while Dearica Hamby and Plum sealed the win with two free throws each.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
24 May 2026
Verb
-
In a movie depicting a sound team, and one where sound is so crucial, their work cannot be underestimated.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
14 May 2026
-
And one of real and growing danger that cannot be underestimated.—
Drew Pittock,
USA Today,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mistook.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mistook. Accessed 25 May. 2026.
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