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Wrong Very Common

/rɒŋ/

Wrong has 17 different meanings across 4 categories:

Noun · Verb · Adjective · Adverb

Definitions
Noun
1

that which is contrary to the principles of justice or law

"he feels that you are in the wrong"

2

any harm or injury resulting from a violation of a legal right

"The court ruled that the factory was liable for all wrongs caused by its illegal discharge of toxic waste into the river."

3

Something that is immoral or not good.

"The company decided to fire the whistleblower, calling it a wrong move that would damage their reputation forever."

In plain English: A wrong is an action that breaks a rule or causes harm to someone else.

"After the debate, he realized that his main argument was wrong."

Verb
1

treat unjustly; do wrong to

"The corrupt official was accused of having been wronged by his superiors, who had allowed him to steal from the company's funds without consequence."

2

To treat unjustly; to injure or harm.

"The new policy feels like it is wronging employees by cutting their benefits without any warning."

In plain English: To wrong someone means to treat them unfairly or hurt their feelings on purpose.

"The judge decided that the defendant was wrong in his actions."

Usage: Use this verb primarily in formal contexts, such as legal arguments about being treated unfairly by an authority figure. It is distinct from the adjective meaning incorrect and should not be used casually for everyday mistakes.

Adjective
1

not correct; not in conformity with fact or truth

"an incorrect calculation"

"the report in the paper is wrong"

"your information is wrong"

"the clock showed the wrong time"

"found themselves on the wrong road"

"based on the wrong assumptions"

2

contrary to conscience or morality or law

"it is wrong for the rich to take advantage of the poor"

"cheating is wrong"

"it is wrong to lie"

3

not appropriate for a purpose or occasion

"said all the wrong things"

4

not functioning properly

"something is amiss"

"has gone completely haywire"

"something is wrong with the engine"

5

based on or acting or judging in error

"it is wrong to think that way"

6

not in accord with established usage or procedure

"the wrong medicine"

"the wrong way to shuck clams"

"it is incorrect for a policeman to accept gifts"

7

used of the side of cloth or clothing intended to face inward

"socks worn wrong side out"

8

badly timed

"an ill-timed intervention"

"you think my intrusion unseasonable"

"an untimely remark"

"it was the wrong moment for a joke"

9

characterized by errors; not agreeing with a model or not following established rules

"he submitted a faulty report"

"an incorrect transcription"

"the wrong side of the road"

10

Incorrect or untrue.

"The test results were wrong because they didn't match any of our previous findings."

In plain English: Wrong means something is incorrect, unfair, or not right.

Adverb
1

in an inaccurate manner

"he decided to reveal the details only after other sources had reported them incorrectly"

"she guessed wrong"

2

In a way that isn't right; incorrectly, wrongly.

"You typed your password wrong again because you hit the 'a' key instead of the 's'."

In plain English: Wrong means not being correct or accurate when you are doing something.

"She sang the note wrong."

Example Sentences
"She sang the note wrong." adv
"After the debate, he realized that his main argument was wrong." noun
"The judge decided that the defendant was wrong in his actions." verb
See Also
mistake evil wicked unjust unethical improper immoral teleologism
Related Terms
mistake evil wicked unjust unethical improper immoral teleologism put one's foot in one's mouth wrongsome moral obligation my spider sense is tingling catachresis miskenning moral sinistrously slander ethicist wrongeth forwork
Antonyms
rightfulness right compensate correct aright
Broader Terms (hypernyms)
injustice injury treat
Narrower Terms (hyponyms)
aggrieve sandbag victimize

Origin

The word wrong comes from Old Norse and originally meant "crooked" or "twisted." It entered English through Middle English, carrying the sense of something that is turned awry.

Rhyming Words
ong bong gong nong wong rong jong song hong long dong tong fong mong cong pong vong zong yong kong
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