MISTAKE Synonyms: 116 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

mistake 1 of 2

noun

Definition of mistake

as in blunder

a wrong judgment they made a mistake when they thought the young pitcher was ready to be called up to the major leagues

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as in error

an unintentional departure from truth or accuracy made a mistake on the exam that almost cost her a passing grade

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

mistake

2 of 2

verb

mə-ˈstāk

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to underestimate

to make an incorrect judgment regarding you seriously mistake me if you think I scare so easily

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as in to confuse

to fail to differentiate (a thing) from something similar or related she mistook physical attraction for love

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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

According to him, there are several jewelry mistakes his customers—including me—often make. — Larissa Ratschkowski, Glamour, 30 Aug. 2026 The mistake underneath both is the same one the industry still makes. — Jason Goldberg, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Verb

There was no mistaking the silver-dollar-thick main beams, each stretching close to 30 inches from base to tip. — Jeff Murray, Outdoor Life, 20 Aug. 2026 Activating campaigns across channels is so deeply ingrained in go-to-market strategies that mistakes in one place ripple out everywhere. — Gary Drenik, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mistake

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mistake

Noun

Boutique seasonal brand, made it to market, suggesting the blunder might be related to a need for more executives and other workers connected with and sensitive to needs and concerns of Black consumers.

— Cheryl V. Jackson, IndyStar, 27 Aug. 2026
From a 2026 lens, extending Braun while kicking Watson’s can down the road looks like an epic blunder that could cost the Nuggets another title in the Joker’s prime.

— Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of blunder

Verb

Loving spouses disappoint us, supportive parents fail us, close friends misunderstand us, and even terrific children create enormous stress.

— David H. Rosmarin, Time, 29 Aug. 2026
Hopefully Hollywood won’t misunderstand the lesson in those projects’ success.

— Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of misunderstand

Verb

Still, Wall Street appears to be greatly underestimating the size of the opportunity and the pace of AI adoption.

— Zev Fima, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
Lampkin could be more of an outlier than an example, but there’s little doubt he’s been underestimated — something Lampkin acknowledged upon arriving last season.

— Zach Berman, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of underestimate

Verb

Wilson was back on the practice field Sunday, despite missing much of training camp with an injury, and will likely open the season as Seattle’s third-string running back.

— Andrew Destin, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
The death toll in last week’s devastating flooding in Nepal has risen to 903 people, officials said Monday, as the number of those listed as missing nearly doubled to 4,247.

— Rudy Chinchilla, NBC news, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of miss

Verb

Deebo Samuel, not Cowing, was the team’s punt returner to open the game, and Cowing misjudged one of his early attempts, allowing the ball to bounce in front of him.

— Matt Barrows, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
The extent of harm, after all, can be misjudged by those suffering it, and complaints are not always offered by the frightened captive.

— Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of misjudge

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mist

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mistaken

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“Mistake.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mistake. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of mistake

noun

verb

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