mistranslation

noun

mis·​trans·​la·​tion ˌmis-tran(t)s-ˈlā-shən How to pronounce mistranslation (audio)
-tranz-
plural mistranslations
: a mistake in translating : an incorrect translation
… suffers from a number of repetitive mistranslations that leave readers with a misleading understanding …—Lynn Ginsburg et al.

Examples of mistranslation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Cali said she was raised by wolves, but Ronny couldn’t tell if this was a mistranslation. — Bryan Washington, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2025 My use of 'lynched' was a mistranslation from Hebrew (English isn't my first language). — Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 25 Mar. 2025 Earlier this month, there had been rumors of the camera in the screen shifting to the left, but this was later claimed to be a mistranslation of reports. — David Phelan, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026 That mistranslation is most visible in its tonal incoherence. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 30 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mistranslation

Word History

First Known Use

1651, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mistranslation was in 1651

Rhymes for mistranslation

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Browse Nearby Words

mistranslate
mistranslation
mistreat
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mistranslation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mistranslation. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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