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
According to Fox 35, deputies mistook Vasquez for their suspect due to a one-letter difference in the spelling of their last names.
—
Latoya Gayle, PEOPLE, 29 Sep. 2025
The children were accidentally napalmed by South Vietnamese pilots who mistook a group of fleeing villagers for Viet Cong.
—Louis Menand, New Yorker, 27 Sep. 2025
The people who chased and shot at former Denver Broncos player Josh Reynolds and his two friends last year mistook the trio for people who’d used counterfeit money to purchase $250,000 worth of cocaine in an earlier drug deal, according to court records.
—Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 19 Sep. 2025
David Forman, deputy commandant of midshipmen, a midshipman who mistook authorized law enforcement as a threat engaged and was injured in the process.
—Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 17 Sep. 2025
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
Latoya Gayle, PEOPLE, 29 Sep. 2025
The children were accidentally napalmed by South Vietnamese pilots who mistook a group of fleeing villagers for Viet Cong.
—Louis Menand, New Yorker, 27 Sep. 2025
The people who chased and shot at former Denver Broncos player Josh Reynolds and his two friends last year mistook the trio for people who’d used counterfeit money to purchase $250,000 worth of cocaine in an earlier drug deal, according to court records.
—Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 19 Sep. 2025
David Forman, deputy commandant of midshipmen, a midshipman who mistook authorized law enforcement as a threat engaged and was injured in the process.
—Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 17 Sep. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mistook
Verb
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Many patients are surprised to learn that watery eyes can actually be a sign of dryness, a common but frequently misunderstood symptom.—
Team Verywell Health,
Verywell Health,
6 Oct. 2025
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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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The team member, who was responsible for the safe conduct of releasing car 16, misjudged the situation and gave unclear instructions to LEC, who could not see NOR’s car.—
Lydia Mee,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
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Williams surrendered two runs, though the first wasn’t really his fault, as Martínez misjudged a ball in center field, resulting in a double.—
Zack Meisel,
New York Times,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Though some might be confused by insurance companies sending letters urging consumers to get screened, some advocates say any awareness about colon cancer screening is welcome.—
Ken Alltucker,
USA Today,
12 Oct. 2025
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The second-year coach appeared to be confused after the foul call before exiting the court and heading into the locker room tunnel.—
Jacob Lev,
CNN Money,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In the same stadium where Jake Moody missed three field goals last year, Piñeiro was 4 of 4, including two from beyond 50 yards.—
Matt Barrows,
New York Times,
14 Oct. 2025
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Lamar Jackson, who has missed the last two games with a hamstring injury, is expected to return in Week 8 against the Chicago Bears, head coach John Harbaugh told media members after losing to the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The power of Medicube's Zero Pore Pads can't be underestimated.—
Sarah Han,
Allure,
9 Oct. 2025
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Four points in their opening two Champions League fixtures is also not to be underestimated, even if their 2-2 draw with Bodo/Glimt fell below expectations.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
8 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mistook.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mistook. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.
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