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.

“It just shouldn’t be mistaken for anything serious.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

When Peet told Shear she is often mistaken for Bell, they reconfigured the moment.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 2026

Improved camera angles make it clearer when officials are mistaken.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 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

This is called “burying your head in the sand,” and the expression comes from a widely held but mistaken belief about ostriches.

From "The Unseen Guest" by Maryrose Wood

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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