1
a
: an injurious, unfair, or unjust act : action or conduct inflicting harm without due provocation or just cause
b
: a violation or invasion of the legal rights of another
especially
: tort
2
: something wrong, immoral, or unethical
especially
: principles, practices, or conduct contrary to justice, goodness, equity, or law
3
: the state, position, or fact of being or doing wrong: such as
a
: the state of being mistaken or incorrect
b
: the state of being guilty
2
: not right or proper according to a code, standard, or convention : improper
it was wrong not to thank your host
3
: not according to truth or facts : incorrect
gave a wrong date
4
: not satisfactory (as in condition, results, health, or temper)
5
: not in accordance with one's needs, intent, or expectations
took the wrong bus
6
: of, relating to, or constituting the side of something that is usually held to be opposite to the principal one, that is the one naturally or by design turned down, inward, or away, or that is the least finished or polished
wrongness
noun
1
: without accuracy : incorrectly
guessed wrong
2
: without regard for what is proper or just
was reprimanded for what he had done wrong
3
: in a wrong direction
turned wrong at the junction
4
a
: in an unsuccessful or unfortunate way
something went wrong
b
: out of working order or condition
5
: in a false light
don't get me wrong
Synonyms
Noun
Adjective
- bad
- bastard
- bush
- bush-league
- crummy
- crumby
- deficient
- dissatisfactory
- ill
- inferior
- lame
- lousy
- off
- paltry
- poor
- punk
- sour
- suboptimal
- subpar
- substandard
- unacceptable
- unsatisfactory
- wack [slang]
- wanting
- wretched
Adverb
Examples of wrong in a Sentence
Noun
any reasonable person should be expected to know the difference between right and wrong
trying to right all the wrongs in the world
Adjective
I don't want you to get the wrong impression of him.
Don't take this the wrong way, but I think you should start exercising.
Are my actions sending the wrong message?
These pages are in the wrong order.
I got four answers wrong on the test.
You're wrong; the answer is six.
You like baseball, or am I wrong?
Am I wrong in thinking that she should never have gone?
I think her birthday is May 11th, but I could be wrong.
He thinks I can't win, but I'm going to prove him wrong.
Adverb
I entered the numbers wrong.
Her name was spelled wrong on the form.
I can't get this to work; could you show me what I did wrong?
Verb
We should forgive those who have wronged us.
As the wronged party, you have the right to sue for damages.
Recent Examples on the Web
Elizabeth Hernandez, The Denver Post, 17 Nov. 2024
Those opposed to reparations say countries should not be held responsible for historical wrongs, while those in support say the legacy of slavery has led to vast and persistent racial inequality.
—Reuters, CNN, 26 Oct. 2024
Heather Cruickshank, SELF, 23 Nov. 2024
Of course, there’s a right way and a wrong way to be vulnerable on an early date.
—Logan Ury, TIME, 22 Nov. 2024
Jeffrey Stacey, Foreign Affairs, 19 Oct. 2015
According to Gallup, companies get executive hires wrong an astounding 82% of the time.
—Rhett Power, Forbes, 6 Oct. 2024
Monica Mercuri, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Some of these movies were also clarion calls for justice for those unfairly wronged.
—Peter Rainer, The Christian Science Monitor, 13 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for wrong 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
Righting historical wrongs The members of Denver’s American Indian Commission would love to have more news to celebrate and have to respond to fewer events that invoke rage.
—Elizabeth Hernandez, The Denver Post, 17 Nov. 2024
Those opposed to reparations say countries should not be held responsible for historical wrongs, while those in support say the legacy of slavery has led to vast and persistent racial inequality.
—Reuters, CNN, 26 Oct. 2024
Adjective
Using the wrong product might harm your mattress and could even void its warranty.
—Heather Cruickshank, SELF, 23 Nov. 2024
Of course, there’s a right way and a wrong way to be vulnerable on an early date.
—Logan Ury, TIME, 22 Nov. 2024
Adverb
The Iran nuclear deal's impact is very important in terms of what is going right and what is going wrong in the Syrian crisis.
—Jeffrey Stacey, Foreign Affairs, 19 Oct. 2015
According to Gallup, companies get executive hires wrong an astounding 82% of the time.
—Rhett Power, Forbes, 6 Oct. 2024
Verb
As an adult, Quinn built a time machine to travel back in time to murder Summer and all of her friends who wronged him.
—Monica Mercuri, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Some of these movies were also clarion calls for justice for those unfairly wronged.
—Peter Rainer, The Christian Science Monitor, 13 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for wrong
Dictionary Entries Near wrong
Cite this Entry
“Wrong.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wrong. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
wrong
1 of 3 noun1
: a harmful, unfair, or unjust act
2
: something that is wrong : wrong principles, practices, or conduct
know right from wrong
3
: the state, position, or fact of being or doing wrong
in the wrong
wrong
2 of 3 adjective2
: not agreeing with proper behavior
it was wrong not to thank the hostess
3
: not suitable
wore the wrong clothes for a wedding
4
: not according to truth or facts : incorrect
a wrong answer on the test
5
: not satisfactory
there's something wrong about the story's ending
6
: not in agreement with one's needs, intentions, or expectations
took the wrong bus
7
: made so as to be placed down or under and not to be seen
the wrong side of a fabric
wrong
adverb
wrongly
adverb
wrongness
noun
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