1
: an unfortunate accident
The fire was a tragic mishap that could have been prevented.
2
: bad luck : misfortune
The ceremony proceeded without mishap.
Examples of mishap in a Sentence
We experienced the usual mishaps of a family vacation.
The ceremony proceeded without mishap.
The fire was a tragic mishap that could have been prevented.
Recent Examples on the Web
With more than a dozen countries operating or acquiring the aircraft and each jet costing tens of millions of dollars, crashes and operational mishaps are closely watched by defense analysts and partner nations involved in the program.
—
Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 1 Apr. 2026
The rocket has also suffered a number of mishaps and explosions during testing that have cast doubt on Musk’s ambitious timelines.
—Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 1 Apr. 2026
Nicole Tallman’s job as a senior staffer under Miami-Dade County’s mayor puts her on the frontlines of county government’s many failings, mishaps and challenges.
—Douglas Hanks
april 1, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2026
Runners trailing the group were too far back to realize the extent of the mishap, which occurred about a mile from the finish.
—Bill Chappell, NPR, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mishap
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Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 1 Apr. 2026
The rocket has also suffered a number of mishaps and explosions during testing that have cast doubt on Musk’s ambitious timelines.
—Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 1 Apr. 2026
Nicole Tallman’s job as a senior staffer under Miami-Dade County’s mayor puts her on the frontlines of county government’s many failings, mishaps and challenges.
—Douglas Hanks
april 1, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2026
Runners trailing the group were too far back to realize the extent of the mishap, which occurred about a mile from the finish.
—Bill Chappell, NPR, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mishap
Cite this Entry
“Mishap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mishap. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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