Wrong — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun adjective adverb verb /ˈrȯŋ/

Meaning & Definition of Wrong

Wrong (noun)

  1. an injurious, unfair, or unjust act, action or conduct inflicting harm without due provocation or just cause
  2. a violation or invasion of the legal rights of another; especially, tort
  3. something wrong, immoral, or unethical; especially, principles, practices, or conduct contrary to justice, goodness, equity, or law

Wrong (adjective)

  1. not according to the moral standard, sinful, immoral
  2. not right or proper according to a code, standard, or convention, improper
  3. not according to truth or facts, incorrect

Wrong (adverb)

  1. without accuracy, incorrectly
  2. without regard for what is proper or just
  3. in a wrong direction

Wrong (verb)

  1. to do wrong to, injure, harm
  2. to treat disrespectfully or dishonorably, violate
  3. defraud —usually used with of

Wrong (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. falling short of a standard

    "there is something wrong with this cake—it has a funny taste"

    similar: bad, bastard, bush, bush-league, crummy, deficient, dissatisfactory, ill, inferior, lame, lousy, off, paltry, poor, punk, sour, suboptimal, subpar, substandard, unacceptable, unsatisfactory, wack (slang), wanting, wretched, below par, from hunger
    related: abysmal, atrocious, awful, bitchin' (slang), brutal, damnable, deplorable, detestable, disastrous, dreadful, execrable, gnarly (slang), horrendous, horrible, pathetic, stinky, sucky (slang), terrible, unspeakable, defective, faulty, flawed, egregious, flagrant, gross, bum, cheesy, coarse, common, crappy (slang), cut-rate, junky, lesser, low-grade, low-rent, mediocre, miserable, reprehensible, rotten, rubbishy, second-rate, shoddy, sleazy, trashy, abominable, odious, vile, useless, valueless, worthless, inadequate, insufficient, lacking, meager, mean, miserly, scanty, shabby, short, skimp, skimpy, spare, stingy, miscreant, scurrilous, villainous, counterfeit, fake, phony, sham
    opposite: acceptable, adequate, all right, decent, fine, OK, passable, respectable, satisfactory, standard, tolerable
    near: classic, classical, A1, bang-up, banner, boss (slang), capital, choice, crackerjack, dandy, divine, excellent, fabulous, first-class, first-rate, grand, great, groovy, heavenly, high-test, jim-dandy, keen, marvelous, mean, neat, nifty, noble, par excellence, perfect, premium, prime, sensational, slick, splendid, stellar, sterling, superb, superior, superlative, supernal, swell, terrific, tip-top, top, top-notch, unsurpassed, wonderful, better, exceptional, fancy, high-grade, special, sufficient, average, borderline, fair, mediocre, middling, minimal, so-so, unexceptional, suitable, useful, worthy, gratifying, satisfying

  2. having an opinion that does not agree with truth or the facts

    "I'm sorry, but the latest research proves you wrong"

    similar: incorrect, mistaken, all wet, full of it
    related: confused, misguided, misinformed, misled, erroneous, false, inaccurate, inexact, untrue, deceived, deluded, duped, tricked
    opposite: correct, right
    near: informed, accurate, exact, precise, true

  3. not appropriate for a particular occasion or situation

    "has a knack for saying just the wrong thing"

    similar: amiss, graceless, improper, inapposite, inappropriate, inapt, incongruous, incorrect, indecorous, inept, infelicitous, malapropos, perverse, unapt, unbecoming, unfit, unhappy, unseemly, unsuitable, untoward, out of place, out of the way
    related: inopportune, unfortunate, unseasonable, untimely, extraneous, immaterial, inapplicable, irrelative, irrelevant, misbecoming, mismatched, incompatible, inconsistent, uncongenial, bad, naughty, sinful, blamable, blameworthy, censurable, banned, barred, disallowed, forbidden, interdicted, outlawed, prohibited, proscribed, awkward, gauche, ungraceful, unacceptable, unsatisfactory
    opposite: appropriate, becoming, befitting, correct, decorous, felicitous, fit, fitting, genteel, happy, meet, proper, right, seemly, suitable
    near: fortunate, opportune, seasonable, timely, applicable, apposite, apropos, apt, germane, material, pat, pointed, relative, relevant, compatible, congenial, harmonious, allowed, authorized, permitted, approved, endorsed, kosher, licensed, sanctioned, abetted, encouraged, promoted, supported, acceptable, adequate, all right, decent, fine, OK, passable, respectable, satisfactory, tolerable, commendable, creditable, exemplary, blameless, irreproachable, balanced, companionate, congruous, consonant

  4. 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"

    similar: erroneous, false, inaccurate, incorrect, inexact, invalid, off, unsound, untrue, untruthful, off base
    related: counterfactual, specious, spurious, deceptive, delusive, delusory, distorted, fallacious, fictitious, illusory, misleading, amiss, askew, awry, deceitful, dishonest, fraudulent, lying, mendacious, unconfirmed, unproven, untested, fabricated, invented, made-up, trumped-up
    opposite: accurate, correct, errorless, exact, factual, precise, proper, right, sound, true, valid, veracious
    near: confirmed, demonstrated, established, proven, tested, faultless, flawless, impeccable, letter-perfect, perfect

  5. not conforming to a high moral standard; morally unacceptable

    "was caught doing something wrong"

    similar: bad, dark, evil, immoral, iniquitous, nefarious, rotten, sinful, unethical, unlawful, unrighteous, unsavory, vicious, vile, villainous, wicked
    related: base, contemptible, despicable, dirty, disreputable, evil-minded, ignoble, ill, infernal, low, mean, snide, sordid, atrocious, cruel, infamous, nasty, blamable, blameworthy, censurable, objectionable, obscene, offensive, reprehensible, corrupt, debased, debauched, degenerate, depraved, dissolute, libertine, loose, low-minded, perverted, reprobate, scrofulous, sick, unhealthy, cursed, cussed, defiling, noxious, pernicious, pestilential, ugly, ungodly, unwholesome, banned, barred, condemned, discouraged, forbidden, illegal, interdicted, outlawed, prohibited, proscribed, unauthorized, unclean, disallowed, execrable, lousy, miserable, wretched, errant, erring, fallen, unprincipled, unscrupulous, improper, incorrect, indecent, indecorous, naughty, unbecoming, unseemly, vulgar, dishonest, dishonorable
    opposite: decent, ethical, good, honest, honorable, just, moral, right, righteous, sublime, upright, virtuous
    near: elevated, high, high-minded, law-abiding, legitimate, lofty, noble, principled, reputable, scrupulous, allowed, authorized, legal, licensed, permissible, permitted, approved, endorsed, sanctioned, abetted, encouraged, promoted, supported, clean, correct, decent, decorous, exemplary, proper, seemly, blameless, commendable, creditable, guiltless, chaste, immaculate, incorruptible, innocent, inoffensive, irreproachable, lily-white, perfect, pure, spotless, squeaky-clean, uncorrupted, unerring, unfallen, unobjectionable, venerable, white, wholesome, esteemed, respected, upstanding, worthy

Wrong (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. that which is morally unacceptable

    "any reasonable person should be expected to know the difference between right and wrong"

    similar: bad, evil, evildoing, ill, immorality, iniquity, sin, villainy
    related: atrociousness, atrocity, badness, balefulness, darkness, depravedness, devilishness, diabolism, enormity, evilness, heinousness, iniquitousness, satanism, sinfulness, vileness, wickedness, devilry, fiendishness, cancer, canker, decay, rot, squalor, corruption, debauchery, degeneracy, depravity, indecency, malefaction, perversion, pervertedness, scurrility, scurrilousness, abomination, anathema, taboo
    opposite: good, morality, right, virtue
    near: decency, goodness, honesty, integrity, probity, rectitude, uprightness, righteousness, virtuousness

  2. unfair or inadequate treatment of someone or something or an instance of this

    "trying to right all the wrongs in the world"

    similar: disservice, inequity, injury, injustice, raw deal, shaft, unfairness, unjustness
    related: affront, indignity, insult, offense, outrage, put-down, slight, slur, beef, complaint, grievance
    opposite: equitableness, equity, fairness, justice
    near: cricket

Wrong (adverb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. off the desired or intended path or course

    "all of our carefully laid plans have gone wrong"

    similar: afield, amiss, astray, awry
    related: badly, faultily, improperly, inappropriately, incorrectly, mistakenly, wrongly, inadequately, insufficiently, unpromisingly
    opposite: aright, right, well
    near: perfectly, auspiciously, favorably, promisingly, correctly, properly, rightly, appropriately, fittingly, suitably

Wrong (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in burn, victimize

    similar: burn, sandbag, victimize, harass, harm, hurt, injure, oppress, persecute, torment, torture, beat (up), mess (up), rough (up), work (over), molest, outrage, violate, abuse, brutalize, bully, ill-treat, ill-use, kick around, maltreat, manhandle, mess over (slang), mishandle, mistreat, misuse
    opposite: care (for), cherish, foster, nurture, baby, cater (to), coddle, favor, gratify, humor, indulge, mollycoddle, pamper, spoil

Related Entry: Rub the wrong way (phrase)

Rub the wrong way is a different word from Wrong. The synonyms below are for rub the wrong way, not for wrong.

  1. to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts

    "Those customers really rubbed their server the wrong way."

    similar: aggravate, annoy, bother, bug, burn (up), chafe, eat, exasperate, frost, gall, get, grate, gripe, hack (off), irk, irritate, itch, nark (British), nettle, peeve, persecute, pique, put out, rasp, rile, ruffle, spite, vex, get one's goat, get on one's nerves, get to, set one's teeth on edge, stick in one's craw, wear on
    related: hassle, heckle, nag, inflame, provoke, rouse, badger, bait, bullyrag, devil, hagride, harass, harry, pester, plague, tease, anger, antagonize, enrage, incense, infuriate, madden, rankle, roil, agitate, discomfort, discompose, disquiet, distress, exercise, freak (out), fret, perturb, undo, unhinge, unsettle, upset, worry, affront, insult, miff, offend, outrage
    near: appease, conciliate, mollify, oblige, pacify, placate, propitiate, delight, gladden, gratify, please, satisfy, assure, cheer, comfort, console, content, quiet, reassure, solace, soothe

  2. to make angry

    "The whole situation just rubbed him the wrong way and he began to shout."

    similar: anger, enrage, incense, inflame, infuriate, ire, mad, madden, outrage, rankle, rile, roil, steam up, tick off, get one's goat
    related: affront, aggravate, annoy, burn (up), cross, exasperate, get, huff, irritate, miff, nettle, offend, peeve, pique, provoke, put out, ruffle, vex, antagonize, embitter, envenom
    opposite: delight, gratify, please
    near: allay, assuage, relieve, comfort, console, soothe, appease, conciliate, mollify, pacify, placate, calm, lull, quiet, settle, beguile, bewitch, captivate, charm, disarm, enchant

Related Entry: Rubbed the wrong way (phrase)

Rubbed the wrong way is a different word from Wrong. The synonyms below are for rubbed the wrong way, not for wrong.

  1. to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts

    "Those customers really rubbed their server the wrong way."

    similar: aggravated, annoyed, ate, bothered, bugged, burned (up), chafed, exasperated, frosted, galled, got, grated, griped, hacked (off), irked, irritated, itched, narked (British), nettled, peeved, persecuted, piqued, put out, rasped, riled, ruffled, spited, vexed, got one's goat, got on one's nerves, got to, set one's teeth on edge, stuck in one's craw, wore on
    related: hassled, heckled, nagged, inflamed, provoked, roused, badgered, baited, bullyragged, deviled, hagrode, harassed, harried, pestered, plagued, teased, angered, antagonized, enraged, incensed, infuriated, maddened, rankled, roiled, agitated, discomforted, discomposed, disquieted, distressed, exercised, freaked (out), fretted, perturbed, undid, unhinged, unsettled, upset, worried, affronted, insulted, miffed, offended, outraged
    near: appeased, conciliated, mollified, obliged, pacified, placated, propitiated, delighted, gladdened, gratified, pleased, satisfied, assured, cheered, comforted, consoled, contented, quieted, reassured, solaced, soothed

  2. to make angry

    "The whole situation just rubbed him the wrong way and he began to shout."

    similar: angered, enraged, incensed, inflamed, infuriated, ired, madded, maddened, outraged, rankled, riled, roiled, steamed up, ticked off, got one's goat
    related: affronted, aggravated, annoyed, burned (up), crossed, exasperated, got, huffed, irritated, miffed, nettled, offended, peeved, piqued, provoked, put out, ruffled, vexed, antagonized, embittered, envenomed
    opposite: delighted, gratified, pleased
    near: allayed, assuaged, relieved, comforted, consoled, soothed, appeased, conciliated, mollified, pacified, placated, calmed, lulled, quieted, settled, beguiled, bewitched, captivated, charmed, disarmed, enchanted

Related Entry: Rubs the wrong way (phrase)

Rubs the wrong way is a different word from Wrong. The synonyms below are for rubs the wrong way, not for wrong.

  1. to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts

    "Those customers really rubbed their server the wrong way."

    similar: aggravates, annoys, bothers, bugs, burns (up), chafes, eats, exasperates, frosts, galls, gets, grates, gripes, hacks (off), irks, irritates, itches, narks (British), nettles, peeves, persecutes, piques, puts out, rasps, riles, ruffles, spites, vexes, gets one's goat, gets on one's nerves, gets to, sets one's teeth on edge, sticks in one's craw, wears on
    related: hassles, heckles, nags, inflames, provokes, rouses, badgers, baits, bullyrags, devils, hagrides, harasses, harries, pesters, plagues, teases, angers, antagonizes, enrages, incenses, infuriates, maddens, rankles, roils, agitates, discomforts, discomposes, disquiets, distresses, exercises, freaks (out), frets, perturbs, undoes, unhinges, unsettles, upsets, worries, affronts, insults, miffs, offends, outrages
    near: appeases, conciliates, mollifies, obliges, pacifies, placates, propitiates, delights, gladdens, gratifies, pleases, satisfies, assures, cheers, comforts, consoles, contents, quiets, reassures, solaces, soothes

  2. to make angry

    "The whole situation just rubbed him the wrong way and he began to shout."

    similar: angers, enrages, incenses, inflames, infuriates, ires, maddens, mads, outrages, rankles, riles, roils, steams up, ticks off, gets one's goat
    related: affronts, aggravates, annoys, burns (up), crosses, exasperates, gets, huffs, irritates, miffs, nettles, offends, peeves, piques, provokes, puts out, ruffles, vexes, antagonizes, embitters, envenoms
    opposite: delights, gratifies, pleases
    near: allays, assuages, relieves, comforts, consoles, soothes, appeases, conciliates, mollifies, pacifies, placates, calms, lulls, quiets, settles, beguiles, bewitches, captivates, charms, disarms, enchants

Related Entry: Rubbing the wrong way (phrase)

Rubbing the wrong way is a different word from Wrong. The synonyms below are for rubbing the wrong way, not for wrong.

  1. to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts

    "Those customers really rubbed their server the wrong way."

    similar: aggravating, annoying, bothering, bugging, burning (up), chafing, eating, exasperating, frosting, galling, getting, grating, griping, hacking (off), irking, irritating, itching, narking (British), nettling, peeving, persecuting, piquing, putting out, rasping, riling, ruffling, spiting, vexing, getting one's goat, getting on one's nerves, getting to, setting one's teeth on edge, sticking in one's craw, wearing on
    related: hassling, heckling, nagging, inflaming, provoking, rousing, badgering, baiting, bullyragging, deviling, hagriding, harassing, harrying, pestering, plaguing, teasing, angering, antagonizing, enraging, incensing, infuriating, maddening, rankling, roiling, agitating, discomforting, discomposing, disquieting, distressing, exercising, freaking (out), fretting, perturbing, undoing, unhinging, unsettling, upsetting, worrying, affronting, insulting, miffing, offending, outraging
    near: appeasing, conciliating, mollifying, obliging, pacifying, placating, propitiating, delighting, gladdening, gratifying, pleasing, satisfying, assuring, cheering, comforting, consoling, contenting, quieting, reassuring, solacing, soothing

  2. to make angry

    "The whole situation just rubbed him the wrong way and he began to shout."

    similar: angering, enraging, incensing, inflaming, infuriating, iring, maddening, madding, outraging, rankling, riling, roiling, steaming up, ticking off, getting one's goat
    related: affronting, aggravating, annoying, burning (up), crossing, exasperating, getting, huffing, irritating, miffing, nettling, offending, peeving, piquing, provoking, putting out, ruffling, vexing, antagonizing, embittering, envenoming
    opposite: delighting, gratifying, pleasing
    near: allaying, assuaging, relieving, comforting, consoling, soothing, appeasing, conciliating, mollifying, pacifying, placating, calming, lulling, quieting, settling, beguiling, bewitching, captivating, charming, disarming, enchanting

Related Entry: Wrongness (noun)

Wrongness is a different word from Wrong. The synonyms below are for wrongness, not for wrong.

  1. the quality or state of being unsuitable or unfitting

    "arguments about the rightness or wrongness of the satirical skit drowned out any discussion of the points it attempted to raise"

    similar: improperness, impropriety, inappositeness, inappropriateness, inaptness, incorrectness, infelicity, unfitness
    related: extraneousness, inadequacy, inadequateness, inadmissibility, inapplicability, irrelevance, meaninglessness, pointlessness, senselessness, inauspiciousness, inexpedience, inexpediency, intolerability, undesirability, undesirableness, unsatisfactoriness, uselessness, unbecomingness
    opposite: appositeness, appropriateness, aptness, correctness, felicitousness, felicity, fitness, fittingness, properness, propriety, rightness, seemliness, suitability, suitableness
    near: admissibility, applicability, bearing, connection, materiality, pertinence, pointedness, relevance, relevancy

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Wrong

The most common words with a similar meaning to Wrong:

Slang: wack, mess over
bad, bastard, bush, bush-league, crummy, deficient, dissatisfactory, ill, inferior, lame, lousy, off, paltry, poor, punk, sour, suboptimal, subpar, substandard, unacceptable, unsatisfactory, wanting, wretched, incorrect, mistaken, amiss, graceless, improper, inapposite, inappropriate, inapt, incongruous, indecorous, inept, infelicitous, malapropos, perverse, unapt, unbecoming, unfit

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Wrong

Words with the opposite meaning of Wrong:

acceptable, adequate, all right, decent, fine, OK, passable, respectable, satisfactory, standard, tolerable, correct, right, appropriate, becoming, befitting, decorous, felicitous, fit, fitting, genteel, happy, meet, proper, seemly, suitable, accurate, errorless, exact, factual

Related Words for Wrong

abysmal, atrocious, awful, bitchin', brutal, damnable, deplorable, detestable, disastrous, dreadful, execrable, gnarly, horrendous, horrible, pathetic, stinky, sucky, terrible, unspeakable, defective, faulty, flawed, egregious, flagrant, gross, bum, cheesy, coarse, common, crappy

Near Antonyms of Wrong

classic, classical, A1, bang-up, banner, boss, capital, choice, crackerjack, dandy, divine, excellent, fabulous, first-class, first-rate, grand, great, groovy, heavenly, high-test, jim-dandy, keen, marvelous, mean, neat, nifty, noble, par excellence, perfect, premium

Word Forms of Wrong

Inflections: wronger, wrongest, wronged, wronging

Derived words: wrongly (adverb), wrongness (noun), wronger (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Wrong

Middle English, from Old English wrang, from *wrang, adjective, wrong

First known use: before 12th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Wrong

Words & Phrases Containing Wrong

wrong-foot, wrong side of the tracks, wrong side out, wrong side up, wrong number, bark up the wrong tree

Frequently Asked Questions about Wrong

What does "Wrong" mean?

"Wrong" means an injurious, unfair, or unjust act, action or conduct inflicting harm without due provocation or just cause. As an a noun, an adjective, an adverb and a verb, it is defined as: an injurious, unfair, or unjust act, action or conduct inflicting harm without due provocation or just cause. It has 9 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Wrong"?

Other words for "Wrong" include bad, bastard, bush, bush-league, crummy, deficient, dissatisfactory and ill. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Wrong" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Wrong"?

There are 358 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Wrong". Common alternatives include bad, bastard, bush, bush-league, crummy, deficient, dissatisfactory, ill, inferior and lame.

What is the opposite of "Wrong"?

Antonyms of "Wrong" include acceptable, adequate, all right, decent, fine, OK, passable and respectable. Near antonyms include classic, classical, A1 and bang-up.

How do you use "Wrong" in a sentence?

Examples of "Wrong" in a sentence: "there is something wrong with this cake—it has a funny taste"; "I'm sorry, but the latest research proves you wrong"; "has a knack for saying just the wrong thing".

Is "Wrong" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Wrong" can be used as a noun, an adjective, an adverb and a verb, depending on the context.

Is "Wrong" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A1-level word, "Wrong" is typical of Cambridge A1 Movers (Young Learners), TOEIC Listening & Reading 120+.

How do you pronounce "Wrong"?

"Wrong" is pronounced /ˈrȯŋ/.