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

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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

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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
But there’s also darkness in Cherry’s past, including an ex-boyfriend who has either terribly wronged her or been terribly wronged by her. Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2025 Tanner has quite the reputation as a ruthless crimelord, and is known for removing body parts of people who wrong him. Barry Levitt, Time, 28 Aug. 2025
Noun
One of its most famous drinks, Ray’s Mistake, was created in 1968 when Buhen accidentally mixed the wrong syrups. Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2025 So what exactly is going wrong? Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 18 Oct. 2025
Adverb
The player himself is not motivated by proving United wrong, but rather to show up the critics who questioned his ability to be a top striker. Chris McKenna, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025 Business leaders, policy makers, and academics have the story of AI wrong. Jim Edwards, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
But doing it wrong—without the right resources, measurement, and speed—can waste budget, stall campaigns, and surrender market share to competitors. C200, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025 If the spelling still comes out wrong, try adjusting the phonetic spelling until the system gets it right. Ken Colburn, AZCentral.com, 18 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for wrong
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wrong
Adjective
  • The New York State GOP Executive Committee then voted unanimously to revoke the Young Republicans’ charter on October 17, 2025, citing mismanagement and condemning the language as unacceptable in the party or its affiliates.
    Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Others are preaching patience, but acknowledge that the status quo is unacceptable.
    Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • That’s not entirely incorrect; Hellebuyck has been closer to league-average than Hart-caliber thus far.
    Sean Gentille, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Scientists, meteorologists, and other branches of the federal government say these assertions are largely incorrect.
    Stephanie Armour, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • And if the gifts this year are inappropriate, the fault will rest solely with him.
    Mark Mondier, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2025
  • After Ansari set Being Mortal as his directorial debut in February 2022, also set to star alongside Murray, Deadline reported exclusively that April that Searchlight Pictures had suspended production following allegations of inappropriate behavior against Murray.
    Glenn Garner, Deadline, 18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Some were hastily informed that their firings were erroneous, but the experience rattled the CDC, an agency tasked with overseeing the national response to seasonal respiratory illnesses at a time when those illnesses typically spike.
    Michael Hiltzik, Twin Cities, 16 Oct. 2025
  • An art review on Friday about two Lu Yang exhibits in New York attributed an erroneous distinction to Lu Yang’s current exhibition at the Museum of the Moving Image.
    New York Times, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • It was considered immoral to lie and the whole point of writing things down back then was to increase morality and improve society, so there really is no didactic history of forgery.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Unlike previous seasons, Dorothy never makes immoral choices.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 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
  • In both nations, anger prevails for the injustices of those calling themselves saviors.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2025
  • Young protesters in Madagascar and elsewhere are reimagining the manga characters’ fight against injustice as their own, anime experts say.
    Elmira Aliieva, NBC news, 15 Oct. 2025
Adverb
  • The Kansas City Chiefs entered Week 6 badly needing a statement win on Sunday Night Football against the Detroit Lions.
    Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
  • For now, at least, Matlock season two seems to want very badly to be Matlock season one.
    Noel Murray, Vulture, 13 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Wrong.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wrong. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.

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