1
as in misunderstanding
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in underestimating
to make an incorrect judgment regarding
you seriously mistake me if you think I scare so easily
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in confusing
to fail to differentiate (a thing) from something similar or related
she mistook physical attraction for love
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of mistaking
Buffett has also repeatedly cautioned shareholders against mistaking volatility for failure.
—
Yun Li, CNBC, 1 Jan. 2026
The creative LaMelo Ball, along with Kon Knueppel, Collin Sexton and Tre Mann are all gifted scorers and offensive forces, but nobody is mistaking them for members of the 2004 Pistons.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 30 Dec. 2025
Vertebrate predators, including birds and lizards, may also be deterred by the oversized silhouette, mistaking the decoy for larger, less manageable prey.
—New Atlas, 21 Dec. 2025
Drink water before meals Drinking water or herbal tea before meals may help some people feel fuller and avoid mistaking thirst for hunger, with studies suggesting that about 2 cups consumed 30 minutes before eating can modestly reduce calorie intake.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 20 Dec. 2025
For instance, Saturday Night Live recently panned Palantir in a sketch in which the company’s software accidentally targets a runaway mechanical bull, mistaking it for a drug-smuggling boat.
—Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 19 Dec. 2025
Many companies today are stuck in the same trap IBM escaped, running hundreds of AI pilots with little to show for them, mistaking activity for progress.
—Adam Mills, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025
But Morrow is most worried that investors are mistaking raw spending for real growth.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 13 Nov. 2025
And lately, Prime’s recommendations algorithm seems to have taken a shine to it — perhaps mistaking it for a sharp spy game as its human predecessors did, or perhaps not.
—Claire McNear, Rolling Stone, 8 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mistaking
Verb
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People keep either misunderstanding or forgetting that there are not one but two revolutions going on here, the second being accelerated computing.—
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Interestingly, people often described fears that were based on misunderstanding how technology works – or fails to work.—
Verb
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Chase Ames Before the season, Dripping Springs coach Galen Zimmerman told the Statesman that most fans and media were underestimating his Tigers.—
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As middle management jobs shrink, workplace experts say executives may be underestimating just how crucial these roles are to their companies — especially in the age of AI.—
Verb
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Canales-Pelaez said that local departments may be confusing administrative warrants with criminal ones, or overcomplying to avoid backlash from the state Legislature.—
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Among the factors hindering higher youth participation, CIRCLE research shows, include confusing registration deadlines and requirements, a lack of youth outreach and a dearth of regular curriculum that teaches young people about elections and voting in school.—
Verb
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Prater was hurt in the first half of a season-ending 35-8 win over the New York Jets on Sunday in his return after missing two games.—
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The only thing missing from his resume is Olympic gold.—
Verb
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The survey found that young daters often misinterpret green flags as red flags, misjudging intentions in stereotypical ways.—
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The other kids have never been happier or more prepared for the standardized tests that will determine their futures, which means their parents are suddenly in love with Maria, and her overbearing principal is sorry for misjudging her.—
Verb
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Local community leaders have urged officials and the public not to stigmatize Somali Americans in the state, warning against conflating alleged crimes by a handful of defendants with more than 80,000 people of Somali descent in the Twin Cities.—
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There’s not much in the way of conflating Lily Collins’s own personal style with that of her indomitable, outré lead character Emily Cooper of Emily in Paris.—
Cite this Entry
“Mistaking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mistaking. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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