mistaken

[mi-stey-kuhn]

adjective

1. wrongly conceived, held, or done.

   a mistaken antagonism.

   Synonyms: inaccurate

2. erroneous; incorrect; wrong.

   a mistaken answer.

3. having made a mistake; being in error.

mistaken

/ mɪˈsteɪkən /

adjective

1. (usually predicative) wrong in opinion, judgment, etc

   she is mistaken

2. arising from error in judgment, opinion, etc

   a mistaken viewpoint

Other Word Forms

• mistakenness noun
• mistakenly adverb
• unmistaken adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of mistaken¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; past participle of mistake; -en ³

Example Sentences

As they work, the volunteers are sometimes mistaken for criminals sentenced to community service.

From Los Angeles Times

Finally, the officers realized that, in fact, this was a case of mistaken identity.”

From Los Angeles Times

Given the level of opposition to removing those barriers, Hendry says, Reform UK's zeal for shale gas was mistaken.

From BBC

In the mistaken belief that EncroChat could not be infiltrated, Rothwell inadvertently sealed his own fate when he shared a photograph of himself posing in a mirror.

From BBC

These fears were heightened Monday when federal agents reportedly drew their guns on and handcuffed a 15-year-old boy with disabilities outside Arleta High School in a case of mistaken identity.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• confounded 
• confused 
• deceived www.thesaurus.com
• deluded 
• duped 
• fooled www.thesaurus.com
• misguided 
• misinformed www.thesaurus.com
• misled 
• tricked www.thesaurus.com