mishap

plural mishaps

1. An accident, mistake, or problem.

   Since the mishap with the banana peel, he watches his step.

   2 more examples

   He had come straight up without mishap or swerving off his course, and his shut teeth unlocked.

   1912 January, Zane Grey, chapter 8, in Riders of the Purple Sage […], New York, N.Y.; London: Harper & Brothers Publishers, →OCLC

   “Israel deeply regrets the tragic mishap that occurred today at the Nasser Hospital,” the office said in a statement. It went on to say that “Israel values the work of journalists, medical staff and all civilians.”

   2025 August 25, Isabel Kershner, Aaron Boxerman, Ameera Harouda, quoting office of Benjamin Netanyahu, “Israeli Hospital Strike Kills 20 in Gaza, Including 5 Journalists”, in The New York Times, New York, N.Y.: The New York Times Company, →ISSN, →OCLC

   Synonyms: adversity, contretemps · Antonyms: fortuity

2. Ill luck; misfortune; mischance.

   Rome’s readiest champions, repose you here in rest, Secure from worldly chances and mishaps!

   c. 1588–1593 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Lamentable Tragedy of Titus Andronicus”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene i]

   2 more examples

   He ſvvet and ſvvet againe vvith ſuch exceſſiue ſvvoonings, as not only himſelfe, but likevviſe all the beholders, did verily deeme, that his life vvas ending. This ſtorme and miſhappe endured about ſome tvvo hovvres, after vvhich hee remayned not cured as his Maſter, but ſo vveary and indiſpoſed, as hee vvas not able to ſtand.

   1612, [Miguel de Cervantes], “Wherein are Rehearsed the Innumerable Misfortunes which Don-Quixote and His Good Squire Sancho Suffered in the Inne, which He to His Harme Thought to be a Castle”, in Thomas Shelton, transl., The History of the Valorous and Wittie Knight-errant Don-Quixote of the Mancha. […], London: […] William Stansby, for Ed[ward] Blount and W. Barret, →OCLC, part 3, page 136

   There are certain ceremonies which are observed once a year by a whole community or village, and are intended to safeguard its members from dangers of the forest, and from sickness and mishap during the coming twelve months.

   1909, Major A. Playfair, The Garos, page 92

   Synonyms: adversity, misluck, adverseness, adversity, bad cess, bad luck, disadventure, hard luck · Antonyms: goodhap

present singular third person mishaps · participle present mishapping · participle past mishapped · past mishapped

1. archaicintransitiveTo happen through misfortune; to mishappen.