misspeak
Americanverb (used with or without object)
-
to speak, utter, or pronounce incorrectly.
-
to speak inaccurately, inappropriately, or too hastily.
Etymology
Origin of misspeak
1150–1200; Middle English misspeken; mis- 1, speak; compare Old English missprecan to murmur
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.
“That includes speaking out forcefully against inappropriate statements and even correcting our own statements when we misspeak or when our words are taken out of context,” he posted.
From Seattle Times • Mar. 5, 2023
John Wihbey, a journalism professor at Northeastern University who has studied presidential communication, said Mr. Biden’s team is overreacting to fears he may misspeak.
From Washington Times • Sep. 28, 2021
McDermott didn’t simply misspeak in a fit of frustration.
From Washington Post • Mar. 11, 2021
"If he doesn't correct it, I guess he didn't misspeak."
From Salon • Sep. 30, 2020
A man can live a long and adventurous life without ever being spoken to by Lacey Pemberton, and when that rare opportunity does arise, one does not wish to misspeak.
From "Paper Towns" by John Green
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
