mistook

[mi-stook] / mɪˈstʊk /

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.

At least 59 detainees were freed because the system mistook them for other people.

From Barron's • Mar. 17, 2026

This time it hit after he booted his own center Steven Jamerson II from a game at Michigan State on Feb. 17, overreacting because he mistook a clean basketball play for something else.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 8, 2026

A resident mistook the toy for a real firearm and called police to report an armed person, he said.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 19, 2026

A black author once mistook me for Deroy Murdock, another black journalist who appears on Fox News.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 23, 2025

“Yes. If hallucinations can appear this ‘real’ to us, to anyone, if hallucinations are catching and almost believable, it’s no wonder they mistook us for psychotics.

From "The Martian Chronicles" by Ray Bradbury