VocabDictionary

wrong message

/rɔːŋ ˈmɛs.ɪdʒ/intermediate Level

English Meaning & Definitions

1.noun

An unintended, misleading, or undesirable impression, signal, or implication conveyed through an action or statement.

Example Sentences:
  • Arriving late to the job interview sends the wrong message to potential employers.
  • Management worried that cutting the safety budget would convey the wrong message about company priorities.
Share & Learn With Friends

Share “wrong message” with study groups, classmates, or on your social channels.

Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown

Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “wrong message”.

Thesaurus Entry
Cultural Origin & Etymology

A modern idiomatic collocation combining 'wrong' (from Old Norse 'rangr', meaning crooked or incorrect) and 'message' (from Old French, derived from Latin 'mittere', meaning to send). The phrase gained widespread popularity in 20th-century political, social, and business discourse to describe actions that inadvertently communicate unintended or negative values.

Memory Aid & Mnemonic

Think of sending a text to the wrong person—it creates confusion and gives everyone the wrong message.

Frequently Asked Questions About “wrong message

1. What is the meaning of “wrong message” in English?

In English, wrong message (noun) is defined as: “An unintended, misleading, or undesirable impression, signal, or implication conveyed through an action or statement.”.

2. How do you use “wrong message” in a sentence?

Arriving late to the job interview sends the wrong message to potential employers.

3. What are English synonyms of “wrong message”?

4. What is the etymology and word origin of “wrong message”?

A modern idiomatic collocation combining 'wrong' (from Old Norse 'rangr', meaning crooked or incorrect) and 'message' (from Old French, derived from Latin 'mittere', meaning to send). The phrase gained widespread popularity in 20th-century political, social, and business discourse to describe actions that inadvertently communicate unintended or negative values.