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 lenses were so long and the cameras so far back, in fact, that on occasion the local police mistook the film’s action for the real thing.
—
Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 2 Sep. 2025
Phoenix police detained a man after National Guard members mistook him for bringing unexploded ordnance to the Papago Park Military Reservation for disposal as a bomb threat.
—Perry Vandell, AZCentral.com, 29 Aug. 2025
The fruit tree likely got its name from early Europeans in North America, who mistook the pawpaw for the unrelated but similar-looking papaya, according to the Missouri Department of Conservation.
—Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2025
Last year, the internet mistook an offhand remark Fox made on TikTok as a coming-out declaration of lesbianism.
—Nicola Dall'asen, Allure, 19 Aug. 2025
Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 2 Sep. 2025
Phoenix police detained a man after National Guard members mistook him for bringing unexploded ordnance to the Papago Park Military Reservation for disposal as a bomb threat.
—Perry Vandell, AZCentral.com, 29 Aug. 2025
The fruit tree likely got its name from early Europeans in North America, who mistook the pawpaw for the unrelated but similar-looking papaya, according to the Missouri Department of Conservation.
—Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2025
Last year, the internet mistook an offhand remark Fox made on TikTok as a coming-out declaration of lesbianism.
—Nicola Dall'asen, Allure, 19 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mistook
Verb
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Germany's Bild newspaper reported on Saturday that Witkoff had misunderstood Russia's position on a ceasefire deal, taking Putin's demands for Ukraine to withdraw from Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson as an offer for Moscow to pull troops from the two regions.—
Ellie Cook,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Meanwhile, for an AI that claims someone is going into something bad, but the AI has computationally misjudged the circumstance, users are bound to howl and get upset with the AI and the AI maker.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The office had been working with elderly, low-income and disabled people to see what most confused them about SSA processes and what would most help them if these were redesigned.—
Eli Hager,
ProPublica,
8 Sep. 2025
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Forgive some Colorado Avalanche fans if they’re confused by the lack of noise as training camp beckons.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The junior running back missed much of 2024 with injuries, and despite practicing during fall camp, has remained on the sidelines so far.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
9 Sep. 2025
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Cincinnati retook the lead three drives later, though Cleveland had a chance to steal the game late in the fourth quarter but failed after Andre Szmyt missed a 36-yard field goal wide right.—
Michael Gallagher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Lead author and pharmacist professor Luke Grzeskowiak of Australia's Flinders University, said the findings underscore how often hyperemesis gravidarum is underestimated or dismissed.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
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This angle should never be underestimated.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mistook.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mistook. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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