mistakes

NOUN

error, misunderstanding

Synonyms

STRONGEST

aberration blunder confusion fault gaffe inaccuracy lapse miscalculation misconception misstep omission oversight snafu

STRONG

blooper boo-boo bungle delusion erratum flub fluff illusion inadvertence misapplication misapprehension misinterpretation misprint misstatement muddle neglect overestimation slight slip solecism trip underestimation

WEAK

false move false step faux pas misjudgment slip of tongue slipup typographical error

Antonyms

STRONGEST

accuracy correction correctness perfection remembrance soundness success

STRONG

certainty fact reality respect truth

WEAK

calculation proof understanding

VERB

mix up, misunderstand

Synonyms

STRONGEST

confuse miscalculate misconstrue misinterpret misjudge misread overestimate overlook underestimate

STRONG

addle blunder botch bungle confound err fail goof jumble lapse misapprehend misconceive miscount miss omit slip snarl tangle

WEAK

be off the mark be wrong deceive oneself get wrong have wrong impression make a mess misdeem misknow miss the boat not know put foot in slip up take for

Antonyms

STRONGEST

understand

STRONG

accomplish achieve clear up correct do well fix succeed uncomplicate

WEAK

be certain be sure comprehend interpret perceive

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.

They can be highly inappropriate at times, and they can make mistakes.

From MarketWatch • Jul. 1, 2026

“Too often, the U.S. strays from long-term economic priorities, while China can go too far and fail to acknowledge its mistakes until it is too late. There is a happy median in there somewhere.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 30, 2026

“Congress passed the Refugee Act in 1980 because it did not want this country to repeat the mistakes of its past,” Sotomayor wrote.

From Salon • Jun. 28, 2026

Scotland went into Wednesday's game against Brazil well placed to be one of the best third-placed teams in the competition, only for defensive mistakes to undermine that bid.

From BBC • Jun. 27, 2026

She hadn’t cared much on International Mother Language Day, but now the mistakes made her feel even worse.

From "Rickshaw Girl" by Mitali Perkins