wrong 1 of 4

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

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

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

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
The problem was that Lavender was wrong 10% of the time, according to an investigative report published by the Israeli-Palestinian outlet +972. Parmy Olson, Mercury News, 7 Mar. 2026 That shorthand is harmful and wrong. Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2026
Noun
The Narragansett Town Council now has an opportunity to right, in part, an egregious wrong and make a difference in the lives of the tribal citizens’ descendants. Antonia Noori Farzan, The Providence Journal, 23 Feb. 2026 And not only that, but the lack of an adequate concept prevented the victims from fully understanding the wrong themselves. Timothy J. Pawl, The Conversation, 23 Feb. 2026
Adverb
But by 2022, multiple groups were proving that answer wrong. Quanta Magazine, 20 Feb. 2026 When stuff starts to go wrong, that's not exactly an environment that's conducive for calmness. Mariia Kashchenko, CBS News, 16 Feb. 2026
Verb
The Mastermind was a trio of former houseguests who felt they were wronged in the game: Jesse, Frankie and Jury votes for Big Brother winner The jury then makes their nominations. Christopher Kuhagen, jsonline.com, 28 Sep. 2025 In Gus Van Sant’s Dead Man’s Wire, Skarsgard does the Dog Day Afternoon thing as a charismatic criminal seeking retribution against a system that has wronged him. Joe Reid, Vulture, 16 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for wrong
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wrong
Adjective
  • There have also been reports that some migrants are being held at the processing center longer than ICE policy allows, something Veasey called unacceptable.
    Marissa Armas, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2026
  • Government actions have an important symbolic value and show that authorities deem violence against women unacceptable, said Isadora Vianna, a sociology researcher from Rio de Janeiro State University.
    Eléonore Hughes, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The statement came after Bloomberg reported that Oracle and OpenAI had dropped plans to expand the site, though Oracle said media reports regarding Abilene were incorrect.
    Jordan Novet, CNBC, 10 Mar. 2026
  • He was charged in 2013 with tax fraud for filing an incorrect return tied to a Ponzi scheme operated by another man.
    Nick Penzenstadler, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The choice to portray her as irritating, self-absorbed, whiny and inappropriate was no accident.
    Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 12 Mar. 2026
  • At first, the teen denied having an inappropriate relationship with Rivera.
    Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • This story has been updated to correct erroneous information originally released by the city of Radcliff.
    Leo Bertucci, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Mar. 2026
  • This was due to erroneous data provided by Dallas County, the Texas Secretary of State’s office told Hearst Newspapers.
    Bayliss Wagner, Austin American Statesman, 3 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • More and more people are avoiding dating or befriending those with opposing political views, and growing numbers describe those on the other side as closed-minded, dishonest, immoral and unintelligent.
    Justin Callais, Twin Cities, 5 Mar. 2026
  • More and more people are avoiding dating or befriending those with opposing political views, and growing numbers describe those on the other side as closed-minded, dishonest, immoral and unintelligent.
    Justin Callais, Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2026
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
  • Every few months, James Knowles receives an email saying he’ll soon be updated on efforts to address a 63-year-old injustice.
    Ara Rosenthal, Mercury News, 6 Mar. 2026
  • Barring some unforeseen injustice, Buckley is going to win a best actress Oscar this month.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 4 Mar. 2026
Adverb
  • The Kremlin will also be pleased the US has used huge numbers of munitions, notably advanced missiles that Ukraine badly needed.
    Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 13 Mar. 2026
  • The detail was that Rivas’ body was not only badly decomposed when it was found – it had been dismembered and separated into two bags before being placed in the trunk of the Tesla.
    Allison Gordon, CNN Money, 12 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Wrong.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wrong. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.

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