misspeak
verb
mis·speak ˌmis-ˈspēk 
misspoke ˌmis-ˈspōk ; misspoken ˌmis-ˈspō-kən ; misspeaking
; misspoken ˌmis-ˈspō-kən ; misspeaking transitive verb
1
: to speak (something, such as a word) incorrectly
2
: to express (oneself) imperfectly or incorrectly
claims now that he misspoke himself
intransitive verb
: to speak incorrectly : misspeak oneself
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Dear Annie: Here is another perspective on the hyperaccurate person who corrects everyone who misspeaks. 
Annie Lane, oregonlive, 19 May 2020 In interviews, some voters said Mr. Gantz reminded them of Yitzhak Rabin, who also could misspeak and appear embarrassed when facing the news media. David M. Halbfinger, New York Times, 24 Aug. 2019 The fact is that Donald Trump, as someone who misspeaks constantly, deliberately, through lack of knowledge, through lies, other kinds of problems, is the standard that whoever is the Democratic nominee is going to run against. NBC News, 1 Sep. 2019 But intentionally misspeaking to Congress is a crime, giving his statement on Thursday added weight. Nicholas Fandos And Maggie Haberman, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2017 Lawmakers in both parties misspeak about health policy all the time. Paige Winfield Cunningham, Washington Post, 12 May 2017 The heads of the intelligence service have a long tradition of misspeaking or telling untruths that advance their agenda. Ryan Singel, WIRED, 20 Mar. 2012 See More
Annie Lane, oregonlive, 19 May 2020 In interviews, some voters said Mr. Gantz reminded them of Yitzhak Rabin, who also could misspeak and appear embarrassed when facing the news media. David M. Halbfinger, New York Times, 24 Aug. 2019 The fact is that Donald Trump, as someone who misspeaks constantly, deliberately, through lack of knowledge, through lies, other kinds of problems, is the standard that whoever is the Democratic nominee is going to run against. NBC News, 1 Sep. 2019 But intentionally misspeaking to Congress is a crime, giving his statement on Thursday added weight. Nicholas Fandos And Maggie Haberman, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2017 Lawmakers in both parties misspeak about health policy all the time. Paige Winfield Cunningham, Washington Post, 12 May 2017 The heads of the intelligence service have a long tradition of misspeaking or telling untruths that advance their agenda. Ryan Singel, WIRED, 20 Mar. 2012 See More Word History
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
misspeak
verb
as in to misstate
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- misstate
- mistranslate
- misinterpret
- misrepresent
- garble
- misdescribe
- distort
- falsify
- mistake
- cook
- dissemble
- slant
- misrelate
- fudge
- disguise
- camouflage
- pervert
- warp
- whitewash
- equivocate
- color
- mask
- prevaricate
- veil
- bowdlerize
- complicate
- bend
- palter
- twist
- belie
- obscure
- censor
- lie
- mystify
- confuse
- fib
- confound
- gloss (over)
- mix (up)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- explain
- clarify
- interpret
- illustrate
- clear (up)
- illuminate
- decipher
- spell out