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

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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

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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

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adverb

wrong

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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
In fact, using paper towels on the wrong surfaces can do more harm than good. Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 31 Jan. 2026 Mayor Mamdani can prove his critics wrong, and demonstrate his commitment to his principles, by making traditional Medicare a central pillar of his health policy. Marianne Pizzitola, New York Daily News, 31 Jan. 2026
Noun
Undoing a wrong in the legal system is arduous — some even call it a miracle. Yosha Gunasekera, PEOPLE, 21 Jan. 2026 Its colonial legacy in the territory is chequered but Denmark has sought to make amends for past wrongs in recent years, having granted the local population autonomy with the Self-Government Act in 2008. Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 18 Jan. 2026
Adverb
Another glaring issue is liability for when AI agents make mistakes — for example, purchasing the wrong-colored bike or booking a hotel room for the wrong night. Dylan Butts, CNBC, 29 Dec. 2025 Trajector has denied wrong-doing and told NPR its mission continues to be to help vets receive benefits. Quil Lawrence, NPR, 10 Dec. 2025
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
  • Antisemitism has no place in our city, and violence or intimidation against Jewish New Yorkers is unacceptable.
    Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 29 Jan. 2026
  • These actions, coupled with her own words, reveal an unacceptable disdain for our constitutional system of checks and balances.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Attackers can intentionally inject misleading or manipulative prompts to bypass security protocols or generate incorrect responses.
    Connie Etemadi, Miami Herald, 28 Jan. 2026
  • Kiraly said the project experienced some delays due to incorrect measurements during construction, pushing completion back by a couple of months.
    Daniel I. Dorfman, Chicago Tribune, 27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • There are significant worries that AI can readily go off the rails or otherwise dispense unsuitable or even egregiously inappropriate mental health advice.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
  • In April 2025, a tipster submitted an online report alleging an inappropriate relationship between Gilkey-Meisegeier and the student.
    Alec Johnson, jsonline.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • That’s an extra $1,780 or so purely because the IRS concluded the erroneous position was intentional rather than mistaken.
    Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
  • How to opt out Incorporating AI directly into Gmail could pose risks for Google, given that large language models can sometimes present erroneous or misleading information.
    Julia Doyle, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • In addition to being immoral, CFA’s support for BDS likely violates state law, AB 2844, which prohibits California from contracting with entities that engage in discrimination, including against Jews or Israelis.
    Mark Pinkert, Oc Register, 23 Dec. 2025
  • The film follows the deliciously immoral, widowed Lady Susan Vernon (Kate Beckinsale), who maneuvers, deceives and seduces her way through London and across her relatives' country estates in an effort to find a wealthy husband for herself and her daughter, Frederica (Morfydd Clark).
    Andrea Wurzburger, PEOPLE, 29 Nov. 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
  • Shabu made the injustice fade away, just for a while.
    Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
  • Because of his act of bravery in the light of injustice, he was gunned down.
    Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 26 Jan. 2026
Adverb
  • That all plays really badly with the people at whom it is aimed.
    Fiction Non Fiction, Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
  • Seven Republicans joined all Democrats in opposing the measure, underscoring how badly Republicans would need Democrats to overcome the Senate’s 60-vote filibuster.
    Garrett Downs, CNBC, 29 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Wrong.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wrong. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.

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