mismate

[ mis-meyt ]

verb (used with or without object)

, mis·mat·ed, mis·mat·ing.

1. to mate unsuitably or wrongly.

Word History and Origins

Origin of mismate¹

First recorded in 1890–95; mis- ¹ + mate ¹

Example Sentences

Of the 1975 comedy-drama "Lucky Lady," for example, he wrote that it was a "cynical, vulgar, contrived, mismated, violent, uneven and uninteresting disaster."

From Los Angeles Times

“The lady requires protection,” declared the gallant man with the mismated wearing apparel.

From Project Gutenberg

Death has released him from the grim necessity of living his mismated life and caring for the child born of parents of such divergent types.

From Project Gutenberg

In politics we have mismated and unmated women, who hold conventions, clamor for the ballot, and advocate the doctrine of "natural selection."

From Project Gutenberg

The unhappiness resultant upon the mismating of a man and woman, utterly divergent in everything that is essential to make their union a happy one, is depicted in a forceful, clear, and well-sustained manner.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• adapt
• alter
• diversify
• modify
• transform
• vary