wrong 1 of 4

1
as in unacceptable
falling short of a standard there is something wrong with this cake—it has a funny taste

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in incorrect
having an opinion that does not agree with truth or the facts I'm sorry, but the latest research proves you wrong

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
4
5
as in immoral
not conforming to a high moral standard; morally unacceptable was caught doing something wrong

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

wrong

2 of 4

noun

wrong

3 of 4

adverb

wrong

4 of 4

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun wrong contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of wrong are grievance, injury, and injustice. While all these words mean "an act that inflicts undeserved hurt," wrong applies also in law to any act punishable according to the criminal code; it may apply more generally to any flagrant injustice.

determined to right society's wrongs

When might grievance be a better fit than wrong?

The words grievance and wrong are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, grievance applies to a circumstance or condition that constitutes an injustice to the sufferer and gives just ground for complaint.

a list of employee grievances

In what contexts can injury take the place of wrong?

Although the words injury and wrong have much in common, injury applies in law specifically to an injustice for which one may sue to recover compensation.

libel constitutes a legal injury

Where would injustice be a reasonable alternative to wrong?

The synonyms injustice and wrong are sometimes interchangeable, but injustice applies to any act that involves unfairness to another or violation of one's rights.

the injustices suffered by the lower classes

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of wrong
Adjective
Hardwick began to speak out more about what was right, and how he had been wronged. Martin Padgett june 12, Literary Hub, 12 June 2025 My brother has an increasing number of false memories about things that never happened in his life — particularly ones in which he has supposedly been grievously wronged by me. Abigail Van Buren, Boston Herald, 9 June 2025
Noun
Shelton, who owns a ranch outside of his music and television endeavors, isn't wrong. Emlyn Travis Published, EW.com, 4 July 2025 Shop staff testified that nothing was wrong with the bike. Darcie Moran, Freep.com, 3 July 2025
Adverb
Her flippant attitude toward school, her refusal to talk through her grief, and her slippery grasp on the concepts of right and wrong can all be traced to that fateful night in this garage. Stacia Brown, Vulture, 25 June 2025 Land and property could be seized to remedy the wrongs that had triggered the conflict. Oona A. Hathaway, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025
Verb
Fired employees desperate for information have instead been given responses that are confusing, conflicting and at times, flat out wrong. Andrea Hsu, NPR, 25 Apr. 2025 Lee, whose debut season with the Giants lasted just 37 games because of a shoulder injury, missed about a week because of back tightness from what the team said was from sleeping wrong. Laurence Miedema, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for wrong
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wrong
Adjective
  • Meanwhile, an unacceptable state of affairs persists.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2025
  • The latest version of a controversial bill that would require the sale of federal land to pay for tax cuts limits the scope of Bureau of Land Management property eligible for sale, but remains unacceptable to hunting, fishing, and conservation leaders.
    Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 25 June 2025
Adjective
  • Consider a car engine: Removing deposits and sludge (inaccurate, outdated, irrelevant and incorrect information) reduces friction, while clean oil (large language models and AI) ensures smooth performance.
    Savinay Berry, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
  • The buzzer was heard since that number was incorrect and the price of the car increased to 50 cents.
    Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 25 June 2025
Adjective
  • The banning of a Chicago White Sox fan from Rate Field for inappropriate heckling of Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte was a good first step, writes Paul Sullivan.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2025
  • Still, Hinge, as part of Match Group, is using AI for coaching features that help users improve their profile, choose better photos, and filter inappropriate messages before they’re sent.
    Sydney Lake, Fortune, 26 June 2025
Adjective
  • Facing mounting pressure and a Supreme Court order, the Trump administration returned him this month to face the smuggling charges, which Abrego Garcia’s attorneys characterized as an attempt to justify his erroneous deportation.
    Ben Finley, Fortune, 27 June 2025
  • Kavanaugh stressed that the Court needs to remain active in taking cases and issuing stays in order to avoid letting erroneous injunctions remain in place for years on end.
    The Editors, National Review, 27 June 2025
Adjective
  • Though the organization had a history of taking action against (supposedly) immoral ministers, Kunstler had no direct evidence to prove this was the case with Rev. Hall.
    Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 27 June 2025
  • His plan calls for demanding that messages not change more frequently than every four seconds, not include flashing lights and not include obscene, indecent or immoral content.
    David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 June 2025
Noun
  • While working together on The Unit, David Mamet once told you that good drama isn’t a choice between good and bad; good drama is the choice between two bads.
    Max Gao, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Jan. 2025
  • Reports out of fall camp haven’t been super favorable to their offense, and while the defense will, again, be top-notch, a team with this bad of an offense cannot be trusted.
    Austin Mock, The Athletic, 19 Aug. 2024
Noun
  • His own films have long dealt with themes of identity, trauma, and injustice.
    Essie Assibu, Variety, 7 July 2025
  • As a granddaughter of refugees, what is my role to play in addressing those injustices?
    Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 July 2025
Adverb
  • But the work serving the current populations can be arduous and challenging – demonstrated here as the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) team can be seen springing into action after a rhino reacted badly to anesthesia.
    Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
  • And Israel's international reputation has been badly tarnished by the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the huge number of Palestinian civilian deaths in the territory.
    Greg Myre, NPR, 28 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Wrong.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wrong. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.

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