misstep

noun

mis·​step ˌmis-ˈstep How to pronounce misstep (audio)
Synonyms of misstepnext
1
: a mistake in judgment or action : blunder
2
: a wrong step

Synonyms

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Examples of misstep in a Sentence

Their decision to relocate the company was a major misstep. another misstep like that, and the company could go belly-up
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This should be a final showcase for Dart, who will retreat to the background when the regular season starts — although his impressive preseason casts a shadow that will hover over every Wilson misstep. — Dan Duggan, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2025 But with collaborations dropping in a near-constant cycle, there’s little time left for thoughtful curation, and that rush to stay relevant can make campaigns more prone to missteps or outright controversy. — Andre Claudio, Sourcing Journal, 20 Aug. 2025 What had been a marketing misstep was now a political opportunity and for investors, maybe even a turnaround story. — Robert Daugherty, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025 The deal is intended to boost Intel, which has faced challenges following years of missteps, reported the Associated Press. — Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for misstep

Word History

First Known Use

1788, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of misstep was in 1788

Rhymes for misstep

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Browse Nearby Words

misstate
misstep
miss the forest for the trees
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Cite this Entry

“Misstep.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/misstep. Accessed 4 Sep. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of misstep for Spanish Speakers

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