mis·match
ˈmis-ˌmach 
plural mismatches
: a faulty or unsuitable match
New England plays St. Louis in Super Bowl XXXVI this evening, and on the face of it, this game is a mismatch, a blowout waiting to happen.—
William C. Rhoden
William C. RhodenShe is blood type O, and the donor heart and lungs she received in the first operation were blood type A. That mismatch triggered rejection by her immune system.—Dan Vergano
Dan Vergano
mis·match
ˌmis-ˈmach
mismatched; mismatching
: to match (two people or things) wrongly or unsuitably
Let's say that you are afraid of boring your audience. One cause is mismatching the audience's need and the level of detail you provide.—Liz Reyer
Liz ReyerExamples of mismatch in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Sarah Hernholm, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025
The warnings appear to reflect a broader shift in U.S. border enforcement policies, which now apply greater scrutiny to even minor errors or mismatches in paperwork.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 22 Mar. 2025
Irina Grechko, refinery29.com, 13 Mar. 2025
There aren’t many frills to setting—folding metal chairs and mismatched tables inside, picnic tables with blue umbrellas on the deck out back—but the lineup of spirits and barbecue is over the top.
—Robert F. Moss, Southern Living, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mismatch
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Noun
This realization can be surprisingly liberating. Consider what rejection signals: a mismatch between the student and the institution.
—Sarah Hernholm, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025
The warnings appear to reflect a broader shift in U.S. border enforcement policies, which now apply greater scrutiny to even minor errors or mismatches in paperwork.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 22 Mar. 2025
Verb
Our favorite — and more modern — iterations of the ladylike look came in the form of slouchy boots at Isabel Marant, mismatched polka prints at Rokh, and seeing-double-like patterns at Vivienne Westwood.
—Irina Grechko, refinery29.com, 13 Mar. 2025
There aren’t many frills to setting—folding metal chairs and mismatched tables inside, picnic tables with blue umbrellas on the deck out back—but the lineup of spirits and barbecue is over the top.
—Robert F. Moss, Southern Living, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mismatch
Cite this Entry
“Mismatch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mismatch. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.
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