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
Others mistook Caesar’s top-down approach for a desire to replace the Republic with a monarchy.
—
Paul Vanderbroeck, Big Think, 9 Feb. 2026
In October, a juvenile wolf from the Beyem Seyo pack in Sierra County was shot to death by a CDFW officer who mistook it for one of three adult animals that had been preying on cattle from local ranches.
—Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 6 Feb. 2026
Three federal air marshals were chased out of a Lynwood restaurant after a crowd mistook them for immigration agents on Wednesday, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
—Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026
Glaser said that during one babysitting gig, Adam Sandler called the Apatow house and mistook her voice for Maude Apatow.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Jan. 2026
But a series of events was set in motion when he was injured by three San Antonio police officers who mistook him for a suspect, followed by complications in spinal surgery that left him partially paralyzed and in need of constant medical care.
—Elizabeth Zavala, San Antonio Express-News, 12 Jan. 2026
In another, the bot mistook a mammogram of a benign breast cyst for an image of testicles.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 11 Jan. 2026
Digging into their Nordic roots, Ida and Filip also built a sauna, which some confused members of the local community initially mistook for a giant bread oven.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Dec. 2025
No one, except maybe kids too young to remember the 20th century, mistook Stranger Things for being original.
—Judy Berman, Time, 26 Dec. 2025
Paul Vanderbroeck, Big Think, 9 Feb. 2026
In October, a juvenile wolf from the Beyem Seyo pack in Sierra County was shot to death by a CDFW officer who mistook it for one of three adult animals that had been preying on cattle from local ranches.
—Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 6 Feb. 2026
Three federal air marshals were chased out of a Lynwood restaurant after a crowd mistook them for immigration agents on Wednesday, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
—Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026
Glaser said that during one babysitting gig, Adam Sandler called the Apatow house and mistook her voice for Maude Apatow.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Jan. 2026
But a series of events was set in motion when he was injured by three San Antonio police officers who mistook him for a suspect, followed by complications in spinal surgery that left him partially paralyzed and in need of constant medical care.
—Elizabeth Zavala, San Antonio Express-News, 12 Jan. 2026
In another, the bot mistook a mammogram of a benign breast cyst for an image of testicles.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 11 Jan. 2026
Digging into their Nordic roots, Ida and Filip also built a sauna, which some confused members of the local community initially mistook for a giant bread oven.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Dec. 2025
No one, except maybe kids too young to remember the 20th century, mistook Stranger Things for being original.
—Judy Berman, Time, 26 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mistook
Verb
-
Democrats stand for upholding the Constitution and Rule of Law but have been misunderstood by the electorate.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
-
So both sides have misunderstood his constituency.—
Newsweek Staff,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Even so, the idea seemed misjudged.—
Christopher Tayler,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
-
In the end, McAdams’ sexiness isn’t incidental, but integral to how she’s been misjudged.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
An Aussie was the winner, but Jaelin Kauf got the silver and Liz Lemley (not to be confused with 30 Rock’s Liz Lemon) won the B final for the bronze.—
John Cherwa,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Compassionate care for patients with serious medical conditions should not be confused with broad commercialization of drugs.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The western states have been working to renegotiate the water use pact for over two years and missed the November deadline to reach a new agreement.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
14 Feb. 2026
-
But Malinin missed his first combo and could never regain his composure in what was likely his worst performance in a major competition in quite some time.—
John Cherwa,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
This badly underestimated what was to come.—
David Remnick,
New Yorker,
16 Feb. 2026
-
In the women’s game, Finland boasts more medals across the Olympics, European championships and world championships but Sweden is not to be underestimated.—
Hannah Ryan,
CNN Money,
14 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mistook.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mistook. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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