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.
“There’s a lot of potential for misstep here,” said Debra Taylor, managing partner and chief tax strategist at Carson Wealth in Franklin Lakes, N.J.
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 2, 2026
Despite the occasional misstep, including wearing a Nazi uniform at a costume party, the prince became hugely popular, especially after front-line military service in Afghanistan.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026
That imbalance is precisely why “Supergirl” being a flagrant misstep is such a disappointment.
From Salon ● Jun. 27, 2026
That now looks a colossal misstep from the Scottish champions, given the bargain McGinn has proved to be south of the border.
From BBC ● Jun. 11, 2026
I was trawling through every detail in my mind, every possible misstep, until I caught myself.
From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
