mistaken

[mi-stey-kuhn] / mɪˈsteɪ kən /

ADJECTIVE

having made a mistake; wrong

Synonyms

STRONGEST

confounded confused deceived deluded duped fooled misguided misinformed misinterpreting misjudging misled tricked

STRONG

erroneous false faulty illogical inaccurate inappropriate incorrect misconstrued unfounded untrue unwarranted wrong

WEAK

all wet at fault barking up wrong tree confused with fallacious ill-advised off base off-track sadly mistaken unadvised under wrong impression unreal unsound way-off wide of mark wrong number wrongly identified

Antonyms

STRONGEST

accurate correct honest right substantiated true valid

WEAK

exact fair just precise sound

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

There, Kani’s friend Fats Bookholane introduced him to a company member he’d mistaken for a custodian.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2026

We must confront real antisemitism while ensuring criticism of a state never becomes mistaken for hatred of a people.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 7, 2026

Although he was a convicted criminal and had reportedly broken out of jail three times, Karlson had always maintained that the 1991 incident was a case of mistaken identity.

From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026

In the heart of Sao Paulo, a "prisonometer" keeps a live tally of people jailed due to Latin America's largest AI facial-recognition system, but its successes have been marred by mistaken arrests.

From Barron's • Mar. 17, 2026

“I have no idea what you’re talking about, Mr. S. This is a clear case of mistaken identity.”

From "Popcorn" by Rob Harrell

Vocabulary lists containing mistaken

Way Off: Synonyms for "Wrong"

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"Fear" and "Violence Hits Home"

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Power Suffix: -en

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