incorrect

adjective

in·​cor·​rect ˌin-kə-ˈrekt How to pronounce incorrect (audio)
1
a
: not true : wrong
incorrect answers
b
: inaccurate, faulty
an incorrect transcription
2
: unbecoming, improper
incorrect behavior
3
obsolete : not corrected or chastened
incorrectly adverb
incorrectness noun

Examples of incorrect in a Sentence

The doctor's diagnosis was incorrect. The story in the newspaper is incorrect. The restaurant considers jeans and T-shirts incorrect attire for dinner.
Recent Examples on the Web As the votes were being counted, questions swirled about Jones’ connection to a controversial radio ad, aired a week before the election, that claimed a large number of incorrect ballots, including some for dead people, had been mailed to residents. Hailey Branson-Potts, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2024 Buddle, the fire union president, said that Elrich’s recollections about Bailey were incorrect and that Bailey had never been designated to handle disciplinary issues. Dan Morse, Washington Post, 13 Mar. 2024 Denial could mean simply deciding that a diagnosis was incorrect, someone made a mistake. Stephen C. George, Discover Magazine, 13 Mar. 2024 In Arizona, a printing error led to incorrect sample ballots being sent to a few thousand households in Yavapai County. David Gilbert, WIRED, 6 Mar. 2024 Some are from highly qualified candidates, but many are from applicants who don't have the skills required for the job as information on résumés and during interviews is often incorrect. Eric Friedman, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 There are incorrect calls in several NBA games, and the league can’t have a situation where teams are filing protests night after the game. Jeff Zillgitt, USA TODAY, 23 Feb. 2024 Volunteer first responders were inadequately trained, leading to the inadvertent mishandling of evidence or incorrect interpretations of physical remains. Michele Kelemen, NPR, 4 Mar. 2024 Instead, Taneja asked a colleague to sign her name with the incorrect date as well. Noah Alcala Bach, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'incorrect.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French, from Latin incorrectus, from in- + correctus correct

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of incorrect was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near incorrect

Cite this Entry

“Incorrect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incorrect. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

incorrect

adjective
in·​cor·​rect ˌin-kə-ˈrekt How to pronounce incorrect (audio)
: not correct: as
a
: inaccurate, faulty
an incorrect copy
b
: not true : wrong
an incorrect answer
c
: not proper
incorrect behavior
incorrectly adverb
incorrectness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on incorrect

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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