WRONG Synonyms: 600 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

wrong 1 of 4

adjective

Definition of wrong next

as in unacceptable

falling short of a standard there is something wrong with this cake—it has a funny taste

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Relevance

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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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as in inappropriate

not appropriate for a particular occasion or situation has a knack for saying just the wrong thing

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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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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

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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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

Examples 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

Another idea suggests that there might be something wrong with science’s current understanding of gravity. —

Jacopo Prisco, CNN, 5 Nov. 2024 There’s no right or wrong answer here—this comes down to what feels healthiest for you. —

Dominique Fluker, Essence, 5 Nov. 2024

Noun

Both accept that the wrong to these voters was done through excessive faith in unfettered markets. —

Nicholas Lemann, The New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2024 The ex-Boston Celtic pleaded with the court in an effort to take it easy on him for his wrongs. —

Marc Griffin, VIBE.com, 23 Oct. 2024

Adverb

And that’s a big yikes Grading The Week: Christian Braun did Russell Westbrook wrong how? —

Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 4 Sep. 2024 Something is going wrong in the mighty U.S. economy. —

Neil Irwin, Axios, 2 Aug. 2024

Verb

Chiles was given the right score, and thus has been terribly wronged. —

Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2024 Underneath feelings of hate often lie a deeper layer of woundedness, rejection, loneliness, fear and anger from being wronged. —

Mark Travers, Forbes, 9 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for wrong

Recent Examples of Synonyms for wrong

Adjective

Not holding my breath for Mike Johnson or Elise Stefanik to state the obvious that this is unacceptable, dangerous, & shameful.

Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024
An American president who thinks strategically would likely conclude that the risks and costs associated with tariffs-as-a-tactic would be remarkably high, if not unacceptable.

Samuel Gregg, National Review, 1 Nov. 2024