mishap

noun

ˈmis-ˌhap How to pronounce mishap (audio)
Definition of mishapnext
1
as in accident
a chance and usually sudden event bringing loss or injury the usual mishaps of a family vacation

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in misfortune
bad luck or an example of this mishap followed wherever he went

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun mishap differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of mishap are adversity, mischance, and misfortune. While all these words mean "adverse fortune or an instance of this," mishap applies to an often trivial instance of bad luck.

the usual mishaps of a family vacation

When is it sensible to use adversity instead of mishap?

The words adversity and mishap are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, adversity applies to a state of grave or persistent misfortune.

had never experienced great adversity

When can mischance be used instead of mishap?

The meanings of mischance and mishap largely overlap; however, mischance applies especially to a situation involving no more than slight inconvenience or minor annoyance.

took the wrong road by mischance

In what contexts can misfortune take the place of mishap?

The synonyms misfortune and mishap are sometimes interchangeable, but misfortune may apply to either the incident or conjunction of events that is the cause of an unhappy change of fortune or to the ensuing state of distress.

never lost hope even in the depths of misfortune

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of mishap But employees were already used to spectacular mishaps, fiery and otherwise. — Jesse Coburn, ProPublica, 12 Aug. 2026 The pyrotechnics technician handling the fireworks show for the event told police there were no mishaps, according to previous Statesman reporting. — Idaho Statesman, 12 Aug. 2026 China traced that mishap to an engine malfunction that occurred shortly after first-stage separation. — Josh Dinner, Space.com, 10 Aug. 2026 Use it to wipe down the countertop after a make-up mishap or clean up a tub that’s bearing the remnants of your last bath bomb. — Heather Bien, Southern Living, 7 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mishap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mishap
  1. accident
  2. misfortune
  3. tragedy
Noun
  • Suppose someone is involved in a serious car accident and goes home that night and tells an AI program exactly what happened.
    — Matthew T. Christ, Sun Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Local lawmaker Anna Turley said Cleveland Police are investigating the accident, alongside the Independent Office for Police Conduct.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of accident
Noun
  • But the fire this time was started by a son, which led to raging misfortunes that consumed his three brothers one by one, leaving only ashen memories for his surviving sister and aged parents to sift through.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Aug. 2026
  • He was criticized for outing LGBTQ+ stars who hadn’t revealed their sexuality publicly, and for bullying others by mocking their misfortune.
    — Shirley Halperin, Rolling Stone, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of misfortune
Noun
  • At first, its plea to remain somewhere in an old lover’s life can feel like the whole tragedy.
    — Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Boeing has admitted fault in these tragedies, attributing the cause of the crashes to a flawed Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS).
    — Erin Jensen, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of tragedy

Browse Nearby Words

mishandling
mishap
mishaps
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Cite this Entry

“Mishap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mishap. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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