wrong

/rɔɳ/
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wrong

He marked the wrong answer on his test.

Definition
  1. Adjective:

    • Not correct or true; mistaken or in error: Describes something that is not in accordance with fact, truth, or a standard.
    • Not morally right or just; unjust, dishonest, or evil: Describes actions, principles, or situations that are contrary to ethics, conscience, or law.
    • Not suitable, appropriate, or desirable: Describes something that is unsuitable for a particular purpose, occasion, or person.
    • Not in a proper, normal, or working condition: Describes a state of malfunction or disorder.
    • Of a side of material: The side that is not meant to be seen; the inside or reverse side.
  2. Adverb:

    • In a mistaken or incorrect manner: In a way that is not correct or accurate.
    • In an unsuitable or undesirable manner or direction: In a way that leads to an unfortunate outcome.
  3. Noun:

    • An unjust, dishonest, or immoral action: A violation of justice, law, or morality.
    • The state of being mistaken or at fault: The condition of being in error or responsible for an injustice.
  4. Verb:

    • To treat unjustly or harm: To do an injustice to someone; to harm someone unfairly.
Examples of Usage
  • Adjective:

    • Your answer is wrong. (Your answer is not correct.)
    • Stealing is wrong. (Stealing is morally incorrect.)
    • He said the wrong thing at the meeting. (He said something unsuitable.)
    • There's something wrong with my computer. (My computer is not working properly.)
    • She was sewing on the wrong side of the fabric. (She was sewing on the side not meant to be seen.)
  • Adverb:

    • I guessed wrong. (I guessed incorrectly.)
    • The project started wrong from the beginning. (The project started in an incorrect or unfortunate way.)
  • Noun:

    • He admitted his wrong and apologized. (He admitted his unjust action and apologized.)
    • She knows the difference between right and wrong. (She understands ethical principles.)
    • The court will right the wrong. (The court will correct the injustice.)
  • Verb:

    • You have wronged me with your accusations. (You have treated me unjustly with your accusations.)
Advanced Usage
  • In the wrong: To be mistaken or responsible for an error or injustice.

    • During the argument, it was clear he was in the wrong. (It was clear he was mistaken/at fault.)
  • Get (someone/something) wrong: To misunderstand someone or something.

    • Please don't get me wrong; I appreciate your help. (Please don't misunderstand me.)
  • Go wrong: To make a mistake; to stop functioning properly; to develop badly.

    • Their plan went wrong. (Their plan failed or developed badly.)
    • My car went wrong on the highway. (My car broke down on the highway.)
Variants and Related Words
  • Wrongful (adj): Unjust or illegal.
    • He filed a lawsuit for wrongful dismissal.
  • Wrongly (adv): In a wrong or mistaken way.
    • He was wrongly accused of the crime.
  • Wrongdoer (n): A person who does wrong, especially morally or legally.
    • The wrongdoer must be held accountable.
  • Wrongdoing (n): Illegal or dishonest behavior.
    • The committee investigated allegations of wrongdoing.
Synonyms
  • Adjective (incorrect): Incorrect, inaccurate, false, mistaken.
  • Adjective (immoral): Unjust, unethical, evil, bad, sinful.
  • Noun (injustice): Injustice, injury, harm, misdeed.
  • Verb: Mistreat, harm, injure, abuse.
Related Phrasal Verbs
  • Wrong-foot (someone): To catch someone off balance; to put someone at a disadvantage.
    • The sudden question wrong-footed the politician. (The sudden question caught the politician unprepared.)
Related Idioms
  • Bark up the wrong tree: To have a mistaken idea or approach; to pursue a mistaken or misguided line of thought.
    • If you think I took your book, you're barking up the wrong tree. (You are mistaken if you think I took it.)
  • On the wrong side of the law: Involved in illegal activities.
    • He's spent most of his life on the wrong side of the law.
  • Two wrongs don't make a right: A wrongful action is not justified by another wrongful action.
    • Just because he insulted you doesn't mean you should insult him back. Two wrongs don't make a right.
wrong

He marked the wrong answer on his test.

Adjective
  1. characterized by errors; not agreeing with a model or not following established rules; the wrong side of the road"
    • he submitted a faulty report
    • an incorrect transcription
  2. badly timed
    • an ill-timed intervention
    • you think my intrusion unseasonable
    • an untimely remark
    • it was the wrong moment for a joke
  3. used of the side of cloth or clothing intended to face inward
    • socks worn wrong side out
  4. not in accord with established usage or procedure
    • the wrong medicine
    • the wrong way to shuck clams
    • it is incorrect for a policeman to accept gifts
  5. based on or acting or judging in error
    • it is wrong to think that way
  6. not functioning properly
    • something is amiss
    • has gone completely haywire
    • something is wrong with the engine
  7. not appropriate for a purpose or occasion
    • said all the wrong things
  8. contrary to conscience or morality or law
    • it is wrong for the rich to take advantage of the poor
    • cheating is wrong
    • it is wrong to lie
  9. not correct; not in conformity with fact or truth
    • an incorrect calculation
    • the report in the paper is wrong
    • your information is wrong
    • the clock showed the wrong time
    • found themselves on the wrong road
    • based on the wrong assumptions
Adverb
  1. in an inaccurate manner
    • he decided to reveal the details only after other sources had reported them incorrectly
    • she guessed wrong
Noun
  1. any harm or injury resulting from a violation of a legal right
  2. that which is contrary to the principles of justice or law
    • he feels that you are in the wrong
Verb
  1. treat unjustly; do wrong to