Meaning & use

mismatch

noun·Academic

A combination of two things or people that do not suit each other or fit well together.

See it in a sentence

There was an obvious mismatch between the company's slow process and its fast-growing customer base.

The blind date turned out to be a total mismatch of interests and personalities.

A note on using this word

Mismatch is also used as a verb meaning to pair things incorrectly; context shows which part of speech is meant.

Words with a similar meaning

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

Another way to use it

2. verb

To pair or combine two things that do not go well together.

The stylist mismatched the tie and jacket on purpose for a bold, playful look.

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