Synonyms of wrong

wrong 1 of 4

adjective

1

as in unacceptable

falling short of a standard

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• unacceptable
• poor
• bad
• lame
• deficient
• flawed
• terrible
• horrible
• awful
• disastrous
• pathetic
• unsatisfactory
• bastard
• inferior
• suboptimal
• dreadful
• off
• wretched
• brutal
• from hunger
• ill
• wanting
• lacking
• inadequate
• sour
• substandard
• lousy
• defective
• crummy
• bush
• subpar
• wack
• rotten
• dissatisfactory
• insufficient
• useless
• punk
• below par
• paltry
• worthless
• miserable
• short
• gross
• faulty
• bush-league
• damnable
• atrocious
• common
• detestable
• deplorable
• unspeakable
• lesser
• horrendous
• abysmal
• egregious
• vile
• abominable
• stinky
• shoddy
• reprehensible
• mediocre
• sucky
• gnarly
• flagrant
• crappy
• bum
• execrable
• odious
• valueless
• mean
• cheesy
• trashy
• bitchin'
• sleazy
• coarse
• second-rate
• low-grade
• skimpy
• rubbishy
• shabby
• low-rent
• meager
• villainous
• scurrilous
• junky
• fake
• miserly
• spare
• stingy
• scanty
• counterfeit
• sham
• phony
• miscreant
• skimp
• cut-rate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• acceptable
• fine
• adequate
• satisfactory
• OK
• standard
• all right
• great
• decent
• better
• perfect
• tolerable
• respectable
• classical
• excellent
• classic
• superior
• mean
• passable
• wonderful
• divine
• special
• choice
• splendid
• sufficient
• terrific
• top
• neat
• superb
• prime
• dandy
• marvelous
• noble
• fabulous
• heavenly
• par excellence
• sensational
• fancy
• grand
• exceptional
• superlative
• stellar
• keen
• banner
• swell
• first-class
• slick
• fair
• premium
• nifty
• average
• boss
• sterling
• useful
• capital
• unsurpassed
• minimal
• suitable
• A1
• mediocre
• worthy
• high-grade
• borderline
• groovy
• first-rate
• top-notch
• middling
• jim-dandy
• crackerjack
• tip-top
• bang-up
• supernal
• high-test
• satisfying
• unexceptional
• gratifying
• so-so

2

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• incorrect
• mistaken
• untrue
• erroneous
• full of it
• confused
• inaccurate
• false
• misguided
• misled
• misinformed
• inexact
• deluded
• deceived
• all wet
• duped
• tricked

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• right
• correct
• true
• accurate
• exact
• precise
• informed

3

as in inappropriate

not appropriate for a particular occasion or situation

has a knack for saying just the wrong thing

Synonyms & Similar Words

• incorrect
• inappropriate
• unsuitable
• improper
• unhappy
• unfit
• irrelevant
• unfortunate
• amiss
• out of place
• unseemly
• incongruous
• bad
• out of the way
• unacceptable
• inconsistent
• infelicitous
• perverse
• unbecoming
• inept
• inapt
• untoward
• indecorous
• inapposite
• awkward
• unapt
• graceless
• naughty
• malapropos
• forbidden
• inapplicable
• incompatible
• sinful
• immaterial
• extraneous
• untimely
• mismatched
• inopportune
• uncongenial
• unseasonable
• prohibited
• blameworthy
• unsatisfactory
• irrelative
• barred
• blamable
• disallowed
• censurable
• proscribed
• gauche
• outlawed
• ungraceful
• banned
• misbecoming
• interdicted

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• correct
• right
• appropriate
• proper
• suitable
• happy
• meet
• fitting
• becoming
• relevant
• relative
• applicable
• fit
• timely
• fortunate
• apt
• felicitous
• compatible
• pointed
• opportune
• genteel
• permitted
• decorous
• material
• pat
• harmonious
• congenial
• seasonable
• acceptable
• apposite
• authorized
• adequate
• fine
• seemly
• satisfactory
• befitting
• endorsed
• approved
• OK
• all right
• promoted
• kosher
• allowed
• licensed
• supported
• decent
• germane
• sanctioned
• respectable
• tolerable
• apropos
• encouraged
• commendable
• passable
• exemplary
• creditable
• balanced
• blameless
• consonant
• irreproachable
• abetted
• congruous
• companionate

4

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• erroneous
• incorrect
• inaccurate
• false
• misleading
• untrue
• invalid
• inexact
• off
• distorted
• untruthful
• unsound
• off base
• deceptive
• fraudulent
• specious
• awry
• fictitious
• fallacious
• illusory
• amiss
• counterfactual
• spurious
• lying
• delusive
• dishonest
• invented
• deceitful
• mendacious
• unproven
• delusory
• askew
• untested
• unconfirmed
• fabricated
• made-up
• trumped-up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• correct
• right
• true
• proper
• accurate
• valid
• exact
• sound
• precise
• factual
• demonstrated
• confirmed
• perfect
• tested
• established
• errorless
• veracious
• proven
• impeccable
• flawless
• faultless
• letter-perfect

5

as in immoral

not conforming to a high moral standard; morally unacceptable

was caught doing something wrong

Synonyms & Similar Words

• immoral
• evil
• unlawful
• bad
• sinful
• dark
• vicious
• vile
• wicked
• rotten
• improper
• obscene
• ugly
• illegal
• corrupt
• unethical
• cruel
• nefarious
• villainous
• infamous
• unauthorized
• offensive
• iniquitous
• cursed
• unrighteous
• dirty
• unsavory
• incorrect
• nasty
• condemned
• prohibited
• mean
• ill
• forbidden
• naughty
• contemptible
• disreputable
• sick
• objectionable
• atrocious
• dishonest
• despicable
• reprehensible
• fallen
• unhealthy
• infernal
• blameworthy
• sordid
• base
• ignoble
• perverted
• depraved
• loose
• snide
• pernicious
• ungodly
• degenerate
• discouraged
• miserable
• unwholesome
• debased
• unclean
• barred
• noxious
• pestilential
• lousy
• libertine
• dissolute
• unseemly
• debauched
• outlawed
• proscribed
• unscrupulous
• blamable
• indecent
• scrofulous
• low
• erring
• disallowed
• unprincipled
• evil-minded
• censurable
• wretched
• errant
• banned
• dishonorable
• vulgar
• unbecoming
• low-minded
• execrable
• cussed
• reprobate
• indecorous
• interdicted
• defiling

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• right
• good
• moral
• ethical
• just
• high
• decent
• honorable
• legitimate
• honest
• righteous
• virtuous
• legal
• sublime
• noble
• upright
• correct
• permissible
• permitted
• lofty
• reputable
• elevated
• scrupulous
• principled
• authorized
• proper
• licensed
• endorsed
• approved
• allowed
• promoted
• supported
• decent
• sanctioned
• clean
• perfect
• white
• high-minded
• exemplary
• encouraged
• innocent
• pure
• commendable
• blameless
• seemly
• law-abiding
• worthy
• creditable
• decorous
• wholesome
• guiltless
• immaculate
• unobjectionable
• irreproachable
• spotless
• venerable
• respected
• unerring
• abetted
• incorruptible
• chaste
• inoffensive
• uncorrupted
• esteemed
• lily-white
• squeaky-clean
• unfallen
• upstanding

wrong

2 of 4

noun

ˈrȯŋ 

1

as in bad

that which is morally unacceptable

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bad
• evil
• badness
• sin
• ill
• evilness
• sinfulness
• immorality
• villainy
• evildoing
• iniquity
• darkness
• heinousness
• vileness
• wickedness
• atrocity
• enormity
• satanism
• corruption
• rot
• diabolism
• iniquitousness
• canker
• decay
• devilishness
• balefulness
• depravedness
• cancer
• squalor
• devilry
• perversion
• fiendishness
• abomination
• atrociousness
• taboo
• indecency
• degeneracy
• scurrility
• anathema
• scurrilousness
• depravity
• pervertedness
• malefaction
• debauchery

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• right
• good
• morality
• virtue
• goodness
• integrity
• honesty
• decency
• rectitude
• righteousness
• probity
• uprightness
• virtuousness

2

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• injustice
• injury
• insult
• disservice
• unfairness
• raw deal
• inequity
• unjustness
• shaft
• affront
• offense
• outrage
• slight
• indignity
• slur
• beef
• grievance
• complaint
• put-down

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• justice
• fairness
• equity
• equitableness
• cricket

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• badly
• incorrectly
• awry
• astray
• afield
• wrongly
• mistakenly
• improperly
• amiss
• inappropriately
• inadequately
• insufficiently
• faultily
• unpromisingly

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• right
• well
• perfectly
• aright
• correctly
• properly
• favorably
• rightly
• appropriately
• suitably
• auspiciously
• promisingly
• fittingly

wrong

4 of 4

verb

as in to harm

Related Words

• harm
• victimize
• hurt
• work (over)
• harass
• rough (up)
• torment
• persecute
• torture
• injure
• sandbag
• oppress
• burn
• beat (up)
• violate
• outrage
• molest
• mess (up)
• mistreat
• misuse
• bully
• mess over
• manhandle
• abuse
• brutalize
• mishandle
• ill-use
• ill-treat
• maltreat
• kick around

Dissimilar Words

• care (for)
• foster
• cherish
• nurture
• baby
• favor
• spoil
• cater (to)
• indulge
• gratify
• humor
• pamper
• coddle
• mollycoddle

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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of wrong

Adjective

Passengers later described screams and confusion as people realized something was seriously wrong. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 30 Sep. 2026

The problem is not necessarily that inflation statistics are wrong. — Sheldon H. Jacobson, Washington Post, 30 Sep. 2026

Noun

With quarterback Cooper Rush set to start his second straight game, the Falcons are looking to right some of the wrongs from the Pittsburgh matchup, where Rush was dealing with back issues and struggled to get the offense going. — AJC.com, 20 Sep. 2026

Prosecutors argued that Clancy knew right from wrong and was criminally responsible for the killings. — ABC News, 20 Sep. 2026

Adverb

The north Londoners took the lead in the first half through £100million ($134m) summer signing Sandro Tonali, whose effort from outside the box deflected off Chelsea defender Levi Colwill and wrong-footed goalkeeper Teddy Sharman-Lowe. — Elias Burke, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026

One error was a forecast that proved wrong; the other was a refusal to act on evidence already in view. — Michael Sonnenfeldt, Fortune, 19 July 2026

Verb

This wasn’t an opportunity to defame someone or make this about how I’d been wronged. — Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2026

Trump accidentally made the case that when the government’s policies cause harm, reparations should be paid by the government to make those who were wronged whole again, or that they should be compensated in some way. — Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 21 May 2026

Phrases Containing wrong

• rub the wrong way