wrong 1 of 4

Definition of wrongnext
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
Wiping out history, especially something positive, is wrong. Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 7 Feb. 2026 To Spoelstra, the gifting of minutes to youth would send the wrong message. Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2026
Noun
Now, the good news is that a substantial majority of American citizens object to this wrong and oppose it, and that majority seems to be growing. David Frum, The Atlantic, 28 Jan. 2026 Some end in voluntary agreements from schools, with plans to rectify past wrongs and prevent future ones. Collin Binkley, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026
Adverb
So the couple dozen fans in attendance on this particular day look on as Marner noodles around for warmups with a left-handed stick, the wrong-handed stick for the right-shooting Marner. Jonas Siegel, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2026 Perhaps the most important thing to know is that there isn't one right way to load a dishwasher, but there are a great many ways to go wrong in between. Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 13 Jan. 2026
Verb
The Mastermind was a trio of former houseguests who felt they were wronged in the game: Jesse, Frankie and Jury votes for Big Brother winner The jury then makes their nominations. Christopher Kuhagen, jsonline.com, 28 Sep. 2025 In Gus Van Sant’s Dead Man’s Wire, Skarsgard does the Dog Day Afternoon thing as a charismatic criminal seeking retribution against a system that has wronged him. Joe Reid, Vulture, 16 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for wrong
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wrong
Adjective
  • Local officials criticized the FAA for imposing the closure without advance notice or coordination, calling the lack of communication unacceptable.
    Seung Min Kim, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
  • That failure to communicate is unacceptable.
    Jay Blackman, NBC news, 11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Some will always believe their placement incorrect.
    Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Both parties claim problems such as invalid signatures and missing or incorrect voter information on petitions that judicial candidates submit to secure a place on the ballot.
    Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • The dashboard may identify patients who may have started on a new medication that interacts with a DOAC, patients who have had a change in their kidney function or who have been prescribed an inappropriate dose.
    David Cox, NBC news, 5 Feb. 2026
  • Other emails from the latest crop of the Epstein files include other inappropriate comments about Beatrice and Eugenie.
    Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Congress foolishly downsized that number in the 1980s and ’90s on the erroneous belief that more doctors would encourage unnecessary health care consumption.
    Betsy McCaughey, Boston Herald, 8 Feb. 2026
  • Civilians misidentified as undercover officers have been chased by anti-ICE mobs in public, even while the victims were going about their daily lives, based on erroneous reporting from fellow ICE monitors.
    Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • The long-term damage that an unqualified, incompetent, compromised or immoral — but superpowered — mayor can inflict on the city is too great.
    Steven Falk, Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2026
  • Tourism dollars flowed in, even if the prettified Southern history being sold ignored the immoral plague that built its riches in the first place.
    Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
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
  • Consider how much hate there is in politics, such as hatred of a particular policy, politician or belief – or hatred of injustice itself.
    Tucker J. Gregor, The Conversation, 12 Feb. 2026
  • Neighbors cite environmental injustice, noting the company chose the site in the middle of a predominantly Black neighborhood that historically has not had the same economic investment as other areas of the city.
    Alysa Guffey, IndyStar, 12 Feb. 2026
Adverb
  • The party is also expected to fare badly in regional and local elections in May.
    JILL LAWLESS THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, Arkansas Online, 5 Feb. 2026
  • Raw eggs were left at room temperature, some cans were badly dented and there was food debris on the can opener.
    Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Feb. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Wrong.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wrong. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

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!