Mistaking

Mistaking refers to the act of wrongly identifying or interpreting something. It involves a lack of accuracy in perception, understanding, or judgment, leading to incorrect conclusions or actions. This can stem from various sources, including insufficient information, sensory errors, cognitive biases, or simply a momentary lapse in attention. The consequence of mistaking can range from minor inconveniences to significant errors that can lead to negative consequences.

Mistaking meaning with examples

• In the dimly lit room, she was mistaking the shadow of a tree for a lurking figure, her imagination running wild. Fear gripped her as she jumped, a consequence of her hasty misinterpretation. Thankfully, the reality soon proved innocuous. She realized she was simply mistaken and calmed herself.
• He was constantly mistaking the names of people he had just met, causing unintended offense. His bad memory, coupled with inattentiveness, caused him to struggle. He often felt embarrassed as he stumbled through conversations and had to apologize for his blunders.
• The detective was mistaking a pattern in the suspect's behavior for guilt, ignoring alternative explanations. This assumption, driven by confirmation bias, led him down a fruitless investigative path. He could only then admit his mistake and start over to find the actual culprit.
• She was mistaking the symptoms of a cold for signs of something more serious and rushed to the hospital. Her anxiety caused her to jump to conclusions about her wellbeing. The doctor reassured her that it was nothing more than a mild infection and sent her home.
• The amateur astronomer was mistaking Mars for a bright star, misinterpreting its position in the night sky. His inexperience led to a flawed observation, skewing his understanding of the cosmos. He now invests in stronger equipment so he won't be so mistaken.