AMISS Synonyms: 211 Similar and Opposite Words

amiss 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of amiss

as in defective

having a fault that engine noise indicates that something is clearly amiss

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in wrong

not appropriate for a particular occasion or situation official recognition would not be amiss after that spectacular effort

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

amiss

2 of 2

adverb

ə-ˈmis

as in incorrectly

in a mistaken or inappropriate way I hope that my suggestion that you might be more comfortable in a larger chair was not taken amiss

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in awry

off the desired or intended path or course the reenactment of the Wright Brothers' first flight went amiss when the wind died on the makeshift runway and the plane stopped short in a mud puddle

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 amiss

Adjective

Heat cramps can be the first signal from your body that something is amiss, usually presenting as painful spasms in your legs and/or abdomen. — Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2026 Lum resigned from the High Museum in December after the institution’s board realized something was amiss and accused him of theft. — Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 14 July 2026

Adverb

The whole incident -- from realizing something was going amiss to hitting the water -- only lasted one or two minutes. — Leah Asmelash, CNN, 21 Aug. 2019 This connectivity can provide a sense of brain organization, and there's a growing body of evidence that this organization goes amiss in those with neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders. — Diana Gitig, Ars Technica, 12 Apr. 2018 See All Example Sentences for amiss

Recent Examples of Synonyms for amiss

Adjective

That is why intentionally defective grantor trusts, or IDGTs, remain useful.

— Michael Gold CFP, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Caused by a defective gene for an enzyme that breaks down the carbohydrate heparan sulfate, it is characterized by a buildup of toxic material in tissues, including brain cells.

— Mike McRae August 26, New Atlas, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of defective

Adverb

But the Vuelta a España’s hiring of a female influencer, whose social media content centers on flirting with male strangers, has backfired badly.

— Chris Marshall-Bell, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
The Iran-contra scandal in the mid-1980s badly tarnished Ronald Reagan’s foreign policy record.

— Nate Swanson, Foreign Affairs, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of badly

Adjective

Poor Anton has been left out of the drama all day, an effort by Billie and Samir to prevent an already bad futzing from escalating to something severe, and that’s never where Anton likes to be.

— Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
Although rarely seen, its reemergence earlier this summer is a signal of how bad the region’s ongoing drought has gotten, as well as a warning for the difficult months ahead.

— Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of bad

Adjective

In between some of the manager’s more clip-worthy quotes, there were more of his usual — and not incorrect — platitudes.

— Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Mosseri said the plaintiff lawyers are incorrect in suggesting that Meta also reduced the number of researchers studying youth mental health harms after Haugen’s leaks.

— Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of incorrect

Adverb

The fatal shooting by police responding to a report of a possible break-in distinguishes Pysher’s death from several other instances in which residents have shot people who mistakenly showed up at their homes.

— Holly Ramer, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
When the group decided to move the party to a house nearby, Pysher walked there alone and mistakenly knocked on the wrong door.

— Tom Hanson, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of mistakenly

Adjective

Also, the issue may also be that BMI is an imperfect measure of body fat.

— Faye Chiu, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026
So Zohran Mamdani deserves at least tentative kudos for taking it on so early in his administration and for offering a solution that, while resoundingly imperfect, at least seems grounded in the real world.

— Justin Davidson, Curbed, 24 Aug. 2026