mistake 1 of 2

mistake

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to misunderstand
to fail to understand the true or actual meaning of the auctioneer mistook my nod for a bid, and I ended up buying a painting I don't even like

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
3
as in to confuse
to fail to differentiate (a thing) from something similar or related she mistook physical attraction for love

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun mistake differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of mistake are blunder, error, lapse, and slip. While all these words mean "a departure from what is true, right, or proper," mistake implies misconception or inadvertence and usually expresses less criticism than error.

dialed the wrong number by mistake

Where would blunder be a reasonable alternative to mistake?

The words blunder and mistake can be used in similar contexts, but blunder regularly imputes stupidity or ignorance as a cause and connotes some degree of blame.

diplomatic blunders

When is it sensible to use error instead of mistake?

The synonyms error and mistake are sometimes interchangeable, but error suggests the existence of a standard or guide and a straying from the right course through failure to make effective use of this.

procedural errors

When can lapse be used instead of mistake?

While in some cases nearly identical to mistake, lapse stresses forgetfulness, weakness, or inattention as a cause.

a lapse in judgment

When could slip be used to replace mistake?

The words slip and mistake are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, slip stresses inadvertence or accident and applies especially to trivial but embarrassing mistakes.

a slip of the tongue

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 mistake
Noun
They’ve been told that life is basically easy and that everyone is allowed to make mistakes, which is exactly the wrong way to look at a career in the entertainment industry. Rob Long, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Mar. 2025 His colleague, Kennedy, poked fun at the minority leader for his history in the upper chamber while noting a string of past mistakes. Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 20 Mar. 2025
Verb
What to look for in quality skinny jeans Material The best skinny jeans offer the same benefits as any quality denim and should not be mistaken for leggings. Bestreviews, The Mercury News, 6 Mar. 2025 Not to be mistaken for shoes with articulated toes. Aamina Inayat Khan, StyleCaster, 5 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mistake
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mistake
Noun
  • The blunder occurred while Trump, 78, was speaking with reporters at Joint Base Andrews military facility in Maryland after giving a speech at the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., on Friday, March 14.
    Escher Walcott, People.com, 15 Mar. 2025
  • The longer-term question is how much more patience and grace Trump’s base will grant Bondi, who already bears scars as the central figure in arguably the administration’s earliest blunder.
    David Catanese, Miami Herald, 14 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Baker expressed skepticism about the poll, questioning the reliability due to the small sample size and margin of error.
    Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 27 Mar. 2025
  • Unlike previous quantum attempts plagued by instability, Majorana 1 uses a new class of qubits resistant to errors, making scalable quantum computing a reality.
    Sarah Choudhary, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Both strategies misunderstand what drives transformative companies.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
  • That can lead to a law enforcement officer misunderstanding the situation.
    Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Many business owners underestimate how much of their network is tied to their current role.
    B.D. Dalton, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
  • On big tech companies vs. startups in the race to develop new AI Never underestimate the ability of a giant to stumble over its own feet.
    Dave Davies, NPR, 19 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The Dodgers are on Spectrum SportsNet LA, which is not to be confused with Spectrum SportsNet, which carries the Lakers.
    Chad Jennings, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025
  • Lesson 2: Don't confuse the end user with the paying customer.
    Mark Francis, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • However, she was fired in March 1995 when it was discovered money was missing.
    David Matthews, New York Daily News, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Robert Irwin Is 'Thrilled and Honored' for New Snail Species Discovered in Australia to Be Named After Him Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
    Raven Brunner, People.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Apple has now compromised the security options for tens of millions of iPhone users after misjudged government pressure.
    Zak Doffman, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025
  • The participants consistently misjudged the strength of the ties by wide margins, Johns Hopkins University brain science researchers Chaz Firestone and Sholei Croom report in the journal Open Mind.
    Clara Moskowitz, Scientific American, 18 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • In some cases, overpayments are due to miscalculations on the part of the Social Security Administration, or because the agency doesn't update beneficiaries' records in a timely way.
    Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 26 Mar. 2025
  • But given the enthusiasm the Mancunian is now showing, his harsh approach to the situation looks like a catastrophic miscalculation.
    Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Mistake.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mistake. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.

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