mismatch

1 of 2

noun

mis·​match ˈmis-ˌmach How to pronounce mismatch (audio)
plural mismatches
: a faulty or unsuitable match
New England plays St. Louis in Super Bowl XXXVI this evening, and on the face of it, this game is a mismatch, a blowout waiting to happen.William C. Rhoden
She is blood type O, and the donor heart and lungs she received in the first operation were blood type A. That mismatch triggered rejection by her immune system.Dan Vergano

mismatch

2 of 2

verb

mis·​match ˌmis-ˈmach How to pronounce mismatch (audio)
mismatched; mismatching

transitive verb

: to match (two people or things) wrongly or unsuitably
Let's say that you are afraid of boring your audience. One cause is mismatching the audience's need and the level of detail you provide.Liz Reyer

Examples of mismatch 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.
Noun
Opposing offenses carve them up, forcing breakdowns and exploiting mismatches. Brian Sampson, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025 Hollier was a mismatch for Green Mountain in the post, consistently scoring with ease, but had to head to the bench midway through the third after picking up a fourth foul. Kyle Newman, The Denver Post, 7 Mar. 2025
Verb
There aren’t many frills to setting—folding metal chairs and mismatched tables inside, picnic tables with blue umbrellas on the deck out back—but the lineup of spirits and barbecue is over the top. Robert F. Moss, Southern Living, 11 Mar. 2025 Here lies the tale of Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Rose (Kate Winslet), mismatched young people on a date with destiny, dreamed up by James Cameron, a filmmaker more associated with smart action films than epic tragic romances. Will Leitch, Vulture, 3 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mismatch

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1606, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1582, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mismatch was in 1582

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Cite this Entry

“Mismatch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mismatch. Accessed 19 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

mismatch

verb
mis·​match
(ˈ)mis-ˈmach
: to match unsuitably or badly
mismatch noun

More from Merriam-Webster on mismatch

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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