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
Explanation
An accidental blunder or mistake is a misstep. Companies can be quick to save money by firing workers, even if economists say the decision is a possible misstep. Misstep began as a verb, from the 14th-century missteppen, "to step wrongly." Around 1800 the word started being used as a noun with the figurative meaning of "faux pas" or "blunder." You can make a misstep in so many ways: by wearing a tie-dyed T-shirt to a formal wedding, by confusing salt for sugar when you're baking a cake, or by gossiping about someone who's standing behind you.
Vocabulary lists containing misstep
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.
Critics say the prime minister has swerved from one policy misstep to another during his 22 months at the helm.
From Barron's • May 14, 2026
But the company made a big strategic misstep, experts say, by focusing on mainstream routes instead of winning over customers who were looking to fly out of underserved locations.
From MarketWatch • May 2, 2026
There wasn’t one misstep or a single failure that led to the tragedy that will forever haunt Frank Perez.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 24, 2026
This is a strange misstep, for Mr. Stuttard is impressively well-versed in scholarship about the ancient world.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026
No matter how careful I am, eventually I’ll make another misstep.
From "The Cruel Prince" by Holly Black
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.
