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
as in inappropriate
not appropriate for a particular occasion or situation
has a knack for saying just the wrong thing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in immoral
not conforming to a high moral standard; morally unacceptable
was caught doing something wrong
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in bad
that which is morally unacceptable
any reasonable person should be expected to know the difference between right and wrong
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in badly
off the desired or intended path or course
all of our carefully laid plans have gone wrong
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to harm
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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
Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 21 Feb. 2026
Here are 11 things our Southern mothers taught us about cooking that might actually be wrong—just don't tell her that.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 21 Feb. 2026
Alison Herman, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
But this new investigation shows a much broader swath of patients being surveilled by hospitals, child welfare authorities and law enforcement than previously known — even while the underlying evidence for those allegations is unreliable, easy to misinterpret and sometimes flat-out wrong.
—Shoshana Walter, CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026
Cheryl Wagemann, InStyle, 8 Feb. 2026
That deceptive moment of victory, many Syrians have told me, was when everything started to go wrong.
—Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 6 Feb. 2026
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
Adjective
People aren't wrong about the tiny egg tarts.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 21 Feb. 2026
Here are 11 things our Southern mothers taught us about cooking that might actually be wrong—just don't tell her that.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 21 Feb. 2026
Noun
Yet all these arguments originate with unmistakably human quirks and foibles, many of which defy easy judgments of right and wrong.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
But this new investigation shows a much broader swath of patients being surveilled by hospitals, child welfare authorities and law enforcement than previously known — even while the underlying evidence for those allegations is unreliable, easy to misinterpret and sometimes flat-out wrong.
—Shoshana Walter, CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026
Adverb
Whether Stewart is sharing her hosting tips or simple, effective beauty routine, her impeccable taste has never steered me wrong (not to mention her 10/10 strawberry shortcake cookie recipe has become a family favorite).
—Cheryl Wagemann, InStyle, 8 Feb. 2026
That deceptive moment of victory, many Syrians have told me, was when everything started to go wrong.
—Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 6 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
-
The behavior's unacceptable, and so this is our way to try to end it or stop it, at least here in Manteca.—
Charlie Lapastora,
CBS News,
18 Feb. 2026
-
That is completely unacceptable.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The defendants argued that Rashada had provided an incorrect retelling of events and maintained there was no deal.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
18 Feb. 2026
-
An earlier version of this story had an incorrect spelling for the last name of Russ Hamilton.—
Miriam Fauzia,
Dallas Morning News,
18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
After Clark stepped down on Tuesday because an internal investigation unearthed an inappropriate relationship with a staff member, the union announced on Wednesday that Meyer will take over on an interim basis entering a pivotal year for the future of the sport.—
Andy McCullough,
New York Times,
19 Feb. 2026
-
The Russia date has sparked backlash from fans, who argue that performing in Moscow during Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine is inappropriate.—
Rebecca Cairns,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Cubs and White Sox pitchers and catchers are working out in Arizona at the start of spring training, but unless Sox general manager Chris Getz says something erroneous again, nothing much is expected to happen until the Cactus League schedule begins Friday.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Congress foolishly downsized that number in the 1980s and ’90s on the erroneous belief that more doctors would encourage unnecessary health care consumption.—
Betsy McCaughey,
Boston Herald,
8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Cooperation feels not only impossible, but immoral.—
Joe Palaggi,
Twin Cities,
11 Feb. 2026
-
This also underlines how the admirably, anti-tank Heat are being asked to save civilization, protect The Republic, maintain a sense of morality in an immoral world and protect our children’s tomorrow from an accelerated descent into nihilism.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
10 Feb. 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
-
Her dioramas, sculptures and large-scale multimedia installations explore the legacy of American slavery, confront racial injustice and celebrate the strength and resiliency of African American women.—
Leigh-Ann Jackson,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Despite Vance’s assertion that politics have no place at the Games, the Olympics have long been fertile ground for athletes to generate awareness about political tensions and social injustice.—
Jemele Hill,
The Atlantic,
20 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
Who in the world has either achieved so much or been beaten up so badly to need to quit at 16?—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
-
The Internet ran amok in his comic Worldtr33, toxic friendships became entangled in his Nice House On… books, the moneyed elite behaved badly in Exquisite Corpses.—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
19 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wrong.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wrong. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
