wrong 1 of 4

adjective

Definition of wrongnext
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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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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3
as in inappropriate
not appropriate for a particular occasion or situation has a knack for saying just the wrong thing

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4
as in erroneous
not being in agreement with what is true her answer that Thomas Jefferson was the second president of the United States is wrong—it was John Adams, of course

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

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wrong

2 of 4

noun

ˈrȯŋ How to pronounce wrong (audio)
1
as in bad
that which is morally unacceptable any reasonable person should be expected to know the difference between right and wrong

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2
as in injustice
unfair or inadequate treatment of someone or something or an instance of this trying to right all the wrongs in the world

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wrong

3 of 4

adverb

as in badly
off the desired or intended path or course all of our carefully laid plans have gone wrong

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wrong

4 of 4

verb

as in to harm

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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
Passengers later described screams and confusion as people realized something was seriously wrong. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 30 Sep. 2026 The problem is not necessarily that inflation statistics are wrong. — Sheldon H. Jacobson, Washington Post, 30 Sep. 2026
Noun
But in the final analysis, Weisberg suggests, the rights and wrongs were pretty clear. — Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026 That struggle for inclusion, recognition of past wrongs, and the value of Indigenous practices extends around the globe, from Canada to New Zealand to Sweden. — Caterina Morbiato, Christian Science Monitor, 17 Sep. 2026
Adverb
The north Londoners took the lead in the first half through £100million ($134m) summer signing Sandro Tonali, whose effort from outside the box deflected off Chelsea defender Levi Colwill and wrong-footed goalkeeper Teddy Sharman-Lowe. — Elias Burke, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026 One error was a forecast that proved wrong; the other was a refusal to act on evidence already in view. — Michael Sonnenfeldt, Fortune, 19 July 2026
Verb
This wasn’t an opportunity to defame someone or make this about how I’d been wronged. — Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2026 Trump accidentally made the case that when the government’s policies cause harm, reparations should be paid by the government to make those who were wronged whole again, or that they should be compensated in some way. — Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 21 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for wrong
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wrong
  1. unacceptable
  2. incorrect
  3. inappropriate
  4. erroneous
  5. immoral
  6. bad
  7. injustice
  8. badly
Adjective
  • The group Save Our Beaches San Clemente, however, says adding more rocks on the coast to protect the railroad is unacceptable.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Russia's demands for Ukraine to surrender its territory, among other things, are unacceptable for Kyiv.
    — HANNA ARHIROVA, Arkansas Online, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of unacceptable
Adjective
  • The appropriate level of human involvement depends on financial exposure, customer impact, regulatory requirements, security implications, reversibility and the consequences of an incorrect decision.
    — Jayasri Ranganathan, Forbes.com, 29 Sep. 2026
  • But predictions that the Islamic Republic would collapse proved incorrect.
    — Ali Vaez, Foreign Affairs, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of incorrect
Adjective
  • The restaurant industry across the country is challenging and rife with workplace abuse and inappropriate behavior that includes issues like heavy drinking, inappropriate relationships, fights between employees and wage theft.
    — Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 29 Sep. 2026
  • For households, the AdGuard Family Plan also includes parental controls for restricting access to inappropriate and adult content.
    — StackCommerce Team, PC Magazine, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of inappropriate
Adjective
  • Interestingly, these erroneous memories became stable over time.
    — Elizabeth A. Phelps, Fortune, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Generally, the courts are limited in overruling regulatory agencies unless a ruling was clearly erroneous.
    — Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of erroneous
Adjective
  • Some sources expand on the account in Genesis, suggesting the Sodomites were not only immoral but positively antimoral.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 Sep. 2026
  • What’s so immoral about a goal scored accidentally with a hand or arm anyway?
    — Graham Scott, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of immoral
Noun
  • In addition to public goods, AI will also create public bads.
    — James Broughel, Forbes.com, 8 June 2026
  • Naturally, the meeting is a flop because no one was prepared, and their spontaneous ideas are frankly fireable-offense bad (a baguette bag shaped like a baguette for Paris?
    — Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 18 Dec. 2025
Definition of bad
Noun
  • This keeps the performance informal and keeps the narrative — a staggering odyssey of injustices, abuses, travel adventures, extraordinary coincidences, losses, reunions, reflections and self-analysis — from becoming sensationalized.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026
  • With no indication that the officers have learned from their mistreatment of her husband, Rebekah can’t shake the feeling that her family won’t be the only ones to fall victim to this kind of injustice.
    — Kate Payne, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of injustice
Adverb
  • The indirect talks come as the conflict, which is entering its eighth month, has caused global economic damage and badly battered Iran.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Pretty clear most of the street doesn’t have a crystal ball to miss the mark that badly.
    — Michael Khouw, CNBC, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of badly

Phrases Containing wrong

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written up
wrong
wrongdoer
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Cite this Entry

“Wrong.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wrong. Accessed 6 Oct. 2026.

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