wrong 1 of 4

1
as in unacceptable
falling short of a standard there is something wrong with this cake—it has a funny taste

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in incorrect
having an opinion that does not agree with truth or the facts I'm sorry, but the latest research proves you wrong

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
4
5
as in immoral
not conforming to a high moral standard; morally unacceptable was caught doing something wrong

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

wrong

2 of 4

noun

wrong

3 of 4

adverb

wrong

4 of 4

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun wrong contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of wrong are grievance, injury, and injustice. While all these words mean "an act that inflicts undeserved hurt," wrong applies also in law to any act punishable according to the criminal code; it may apply more generally to any flagrant injustice.

determined to right society's wrongs

When might grievance be a better fit than wrong?

The words grievance and wrong are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, grievance applies to a circumstance or condition that constitutes an injustice to the sufferer and gives just ground for complaint.

a list of employee grievances

In what contexts can injury take the place of wrong?

Although the words injury and wrong have much in common, injury applies in law specifically to an injustice for which one may sue to recover compensation.

libel constitutes a legal injury

Where would injustice be a reasonable alternative to wrong?

The synonyms injustice and wrong are sometimes interchangeable, but injustice applies to any act that involves unfairness to another or violation of one's rights.

the injustices suffered by the lower classes

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 wrong
Adjective
But there’s also darkness in Cherry’s past, including an ex-boyfriend who has either terribly wronged her or been terribly wronged by her. Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2025 Tanner has quite the reputation as a ruthless crimelord, and is known for removing body parts of people who wrong him. Barry Levitt, Time, 28 Aug. 2025
Noun
The myth that navy blue and black shouldn't be mixed has been proven wrong time and time again, and the same goes for brown and black. Marilú Almaguer, Glamour, 11 Oct. 2025 Fantasizing about murdering politicians and their children is wrong. Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 11 Oct. 2025
Adverb
Eliminating vaccine mandates in Florida and expanding exemptions in other states will continue to widen these already existing disparities that stem from past public health wrongs. Stacie Kershner, The Conversation, 22 Sep. 2025 Now, within minutes of Kirk’s death, posts were circulating that turned out to be flat-out wrong. Larry Magid, Mercury News, 21 Sep. 2025
Verb
But doing it wrong—without the right resources, measurement, and speed—can waste budget, stall campaigns, and surrender market share to competitors. C200, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025 If the spelling still comes out wrong, try adjusting the phonetic spelling until the system gets it right. Ken Colburn, AZCentral.com, 18 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for wrong
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wrong
Adjective
  • This is an unacceptable physical and emotional power dynamic, even in a fantasy.
    USA Today, USA Today, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Anything less than the protection of creators and their rights is unacceptable.
    Erik Hayden, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • That’s not entirely incorrect; Hellebuyck has been closer to league-average than Hart-caliber thus far.
    Sean Gentille, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Scientists, meteorologists, and other branches of the federal government say these assertions are largely incorrect.
    Stephanie Armour, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The campaign slammed her words and accusations as inappropriate and untrue.
    Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 10 Oct. 2025
  • There were a small number of other inappropriate language complaints and of him being in a state of undress.
    Jake Kanter, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Engineers outfitted the device with a heater to melt ice in the winter, a customization that should improve accuracy during Arizona’s freeze-thaw cycles that have long created erroneous measurements.
    Hayleigh Evans, AZCentral.com, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Vedra and other debt law experts said a high rate of default judgments indicates a system that favors the pursuers over the pursued — and increases the chances someone will be harmed by an erroneous bill.
    Rae Ellen Bichell, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Unlike previous seasons, Dorothy never makes immoral choices.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
  • This is disgraceful and immoral.
    Armando Garcia, ABC News, 18 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • While working together on The Unit, David Mamet once told you that good drama isn’t a choice between good and bad; good drama is the choice between two bads.
    Max Gao, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Jan. 2025
  • Reports out of fall camp haven’t been super favorable to their offense, and while the defense will, again, be top-notch, a team with this bad of an offense cannot be trusted.
    Austin Mock, The Athletic, 19 Aug. 2024
Noun
  • Potawatomi philosopher Kyle Whyte theorizes settler colonialism as a form of environmental injustice.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 11 Oct. 2025
  • The tense film is anchored by none other than Keira Knightley, who delivers a layered performance as a woman refusing to back down in the face of injustice.
    Ellise Shafer, Variety, 10 Oct. 2025
Adverb
  • The Kansas City Chiefs entered Week 6 badly needing a statement win on Sunday Night Football against the Detroit Lions.
    Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
  • For now, at least, Matlock season two seems to want very badly to be Matlock season one.
    Noel Murray, Vulture, 13 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Wrong.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wrong. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on wrong

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!