misstep
Americannoun
-
a wrong step.
-
an error or slip in conduct; faux pas.
- Synonyms:
- indiscretion, lapse, transgression, fault
noun
-
a false step
-
an error
Etymology
Origin of misstep
First recorded in 1250–1300, misstep is from the Middle English word missteppen. See mis- 1, step
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 could be an expensive misstep to scale up a robot army to meet rush-hour demand in a city only to see many of those vehicles sit idle during nonpeak times.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 22, 2026
He was detained for a year, as his attorneys and family were hesitant to post bail, fearing Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention or deportation, a travesty already enough for one misstep.
From Slate • Mar. 19, 2026
Another Plan 2 graduate, Chris Hinchliff said the decision to freeze the repayment threshold was a "misstep" and urged the government to "get on and deal with this" before the next general election.
From BBC • Feb. 25, 2026
It’s more about the winners and losers, while the stock market is quick to punish any misstep.
From Barron's • Feb. 23, 2026
But Liam...he was something precious, something I could break with a single misstep.
From "The Darkest Minds" by Alexandra Bracken
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.
