wrong 1 of 4

adjective

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

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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

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3
as in inappropriate
not appropriate for a particular occasion or situation has a knack for saying just the wrong thing

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4
as in erroneous
not being in agreement with what is true her answer that Thomas Jefferson was the second president of the United States is wrong—it was John Adams, of course

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

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wrong

2 of 4

noun

ˈrȯŋ How to pronounce wrong (audio)
1
as in bad
that which is morally unacceptable any reasonable person should be expected to know the difference between right and wrong

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2
as in injustice
unfair or inadequate treatment of someone or something or an instance of this trying to right all the wrongs in the world

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wrong

3 of 4

adverb

as in badly
off the desired or intended path or course all of our carefully laid plans have gone wrong

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wrong

4 of 4

verb

as in to harm

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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 that framing—the idea of nature versus nurture—is all wrong. — Dalton Conley, TIME, 19 Mar. 2025 Bias is a problem because AI learns from past data, and if that data has mistakes or unfair patterns, AI can repeat them, leading to wrong or unfair decisions. — Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
Noun
Ultimately, Ambrose wants viewers to come away from the film with a better understanding of kids with DSD, knowing that there’s nothing disordered or wrong about them. — Elizabeth Yuko, Rolling Stone, 8 Mar. 2025 After 96 years of Oscar best pictures, the Academy's bound to get one wrong now and then. — Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 2025
Adverb
Where did 2022 go so wrong and how can 2023 go right? — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 4 Feb. 2025 But the relatively high frequency of these moments at Chelsea in 2024-25 suggests something systemic is going wrong in Maresca’s team. — Liam Twomey, The Athletic, 15 Jan. 2025
Verb
By Jenna Ryu February 3, 2025 When the person who wronged you doesn’t seem to face any consequences, holding a grudge can feel like the only way to restore some sort of justice. — Jenna Ryu, SELF, 3 Feb. 2025 Presently there are 38 pending CFPB enforcement cases against large companies that could provide millions of Americans money after being wronged by financial institutions and corporations. — Mayra Rodriguez Valladares, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for wrong
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wrong
  1. unacceptable
  2. incorrect
  3. inappropriate
  4. erroneous
  5. immoral
  6. bad
  7. injustice
  8. badly
Adjective
  • But for a lot of people following Markle's every move anything other than perfection is unacceptable.
    — Alanna Bennett, refinery29.com, 14 Mar. 2025
  • But this false choice that some are buying instead of fighting is unacceptable.
    — Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of unacceptable
Adjective
  • And then there is Derek McDaniel, whose incorrect assembling of his nomination packet for 2023 city council race resulted in a circuit court judge bouncing him from the ballot, and whose campaign yard sign size and placement have been questioned in this race.
    — Naperville Sun, Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Hallucinations, on the other hand, occur when an AI system is asked to provide factual information or perform specific tasks but instead generates incorrect or misleading content while presenting it as accurate.
    — Anna Choi, The Conversation, 21 Mar. 2025
Definition of incorrect
Adjective
  • The Calumet City Elementary District 155 Board recently censured one of its members, Lamarr Miller, after learning he previously was disciplined for inappropriate behavior with students.
    — Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2025
  • Identify scenarios where human oversight is essential and prevent inappropriate AI autonomy over sensitive business areas.
    — Brent Dykes, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of inappropriate
Adjective
  • The Washington Post previously reported that DOGE wants to check federal benefits spending against tax records, which could help Musk's team identify duplicative or erroneous payments.
    — arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 14 Mar. 2025
  • There were also erroneous reports regarding the Seven Dwarfs.
    — James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of erroneous
Adjective
  • And so Rose, immortal on the field, with a bat, was judged immoral off it by the saints who guard baseball’s gate.
    — Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2025
  • The campaign materials were unequivocal: Worley believed LGBT influences in society were immoral.
    — Nick Penzenstadler, USA TODAY, 4 Mar. 2025
Definition of immoral
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
Definition of bad
Noun
  • Ben & Jerry’s first brought legal action against Unilever in November 2024, claiming the parent company was muzzling statements Ben & Jerry’s wanted to release on injustices worldwide.
    — Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 19 Mar. 2025
  • But the only way our leaders should approach the Alien Enemies Act in the modern day is by acknowledging the fundamental injustice of wartime internment and expulsions and by working to repeal the law, not resurrecting it to devastate the lives of other immigrants who call this country home.
    — Karen Ebel, TIME, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of injustice
Adverb
  • That goal against came as a direct result of Pontus Holmberg badly losing a puck battle in the defensive zone, too.
    — Nick Ashbourne, The Athletic, 14 Mar. 2025
  • For a second time, his side lost badly; liberals now held 80% of the seats in the Lower House.
    — Christine Adams / Made by History, TIME, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of badly

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Cite this Entry

“Wrong.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wrong. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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