1
as in mistakes
a wrong judgment
another misstep like that, and the company could go belly-up
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in blunders
an unintentional departure from truth or accuracy
a misstep that could lead to disaster
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of missteps
The state has struggled to keep up with demand, largely due to the lingering impacts of decades-long missteps in housing policies, said Paavo Monkkonen, a professor in urban planning at UCLA.
—
Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2026
Sorensen and new chief executive officer Mike Doustdar have had just months to start remaking Novo as a more aggressive and fast-moving company, but investors point to two recent missteps.
—Ed Silverman, STAT, 26 Mar. 2026
The retailer has attributed some of its sales losses to backlash to its DEI decision, along with other factors including company missteps with merchandise, a weaker store experience and softer discretionary spending.
—Melissa Repko, CNBC, 26 Mar. 2026
That changed with the CDC Leadership Accountability Act of 2023, which meant, as the name suggests, to boost accountability at the agency following missteps during the pandemic.
—Erika Edwards, NBC news, 24 Mar. 2026
In his first inaugural address in 2019, DeSantis touched on voting and elections briefly, referring to missteps by county election supervisors in Broward and Palm Beach.
—Steve Bousquet, Sun Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2026
Utterly compelling, the series places a microscope on the lives of three longtime friends, forcing them to look not just inward but also at one another, and at the missteps and deceptions that have been simmering just below the surface.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 18 Mar. 2026
Industry experts say entitlement, risky decisions and cultural missteps are causing more travelers to sabotage their own trips.
—Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 17 Mar. 2026
Apparently, even that film wasn’t fully free from oversight, as the WSJ reported that some of its environmental themes were toned down, which might account for some of the film’s minor missteps.
—Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 13 Mar. 2026
Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2026
Sorensen and new chief executive officer Mike Doustdar have had just months to start remaking Novo as a more aggressive and fast-moving company, but investors point to two recent missteps.
—Ed Silverman, STAT, 26 Mar. 2026
The retailer has attributed some of its sales losses to backlash to its DEI decision, along with other factors including company missteps with merchandise, a weaker store experience and softer discretionary spending.
—Melissa Repko, CNBC, 26 Mar. 2026
That changed with the CDC Leadership Accountability Act of 2023, which meant, as the name suggests, to boost accountability at the agency following missteps during the pandemic.
—Erika Edwards, NBC news, 24 Mar. 2026
In his first inaugural address in 2019, DeSantis touched on voting and elections briefly, referring to missteps by county election supervisors in Broward and Palm Beach.
—Steve Bousquet, Sun Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2026
Utterly compelling, the series places a microscope on the lives of three longtime friends, forcing them to look not just inward but also at one another, and at the missteps and deceptions that have been simmering just below the surface.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 18 Mar. 2026
Industry experts say entitlement, risky decisions and cultural missteps are causing more travelers to sabotage their own trips.
—Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 17 Mar. 2026
Apparently, even that film wasn’t fully free from oversight, as the WSJ reported that some of its environmental themes were toned down, which might account for some of the film’s minor missteps.
—Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 13 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for missteps
Noun
-
Critical, independent and common-sense thinking was essential to deal with our evolution, to include those time when grave mistakes were made and great leaders had to make tough decisions to course-correct.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Notre Dame’s Lachlan Clark made no mistakes other than giving up the home run.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Over the years across Illinois, there has been a litany of agency miscues, blunders and downright neglect, including several in Lake County.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Mar. 2026
-
The sufferings caused by a statesman’s blunders are larger than the benefits produced by his accomplishments.—
David Brooks,
The Atlantic,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Fulton County officials have forcefully pushed back, arguing the issues cited reflect routine administrative errors rather than evidence of fraud.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
28 Mar. 2026
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But his 16 errors last season were tied for seventh most in the major leagues (second among third basemen), and many came on routine plays.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Missteps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/missteps. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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