mistakenly

[ mi-stey-kuhn-lee ]

adverb

1. unintentionally or inadvertently; by mistake:

   I may have mistakenly interchanged them without realizing it.

2. in a way that is wrongly conceived, held, or done; incorrectly:

   Many people mistakenly believe their PhD will help them land a stable, middle-class job even if they can't get an academic job.

Word History and Origins

Origin of mistakenly¹

mistaken ( def ) + -ly

Example Sentences

In attempting to define the word on SNL, she cited an incident where US businesswoman Martha Stewart had mistakenly claimed a journalist who covered her legal proceedings was dead.

From BBC

The park authority said some visitors were "unaware of the longstanding Welsh names and may mistakenly believe they are new".

From BBC

But there were also concerns over pronunciation and some visitors being "unaware of the longstanding Welsh names and may mistakenly believe they are new".

From BBC

Eagle-eyed Wicked fans got more than they bargained for when small-print on packaging for dolls inspired by the movie mistakenly listed the address for an adult website.

From BBC

A scary situation unfolded early Halloween morning when an AR-15-wielding vigilante mistakenly fired at San Joaquin County sheriff’s deputies while trying to pursue a group of suspected burglars, authorities said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• erroneously
• falsely