Synonyms for Miss

Updated · Synonyms List editorial team

Synonyms for Miss

Quick answer: To find synonyms for miss, look for words that capture failure to hit a target, forgetfulness, or letting a chance slip away. You can choose from dozens of alternatives depending on whether you need a formal tone, a casual phrase, or a description of emotional disappointment. This guide organizes these options by nuance so you can select the exact fit for your sentence.

Closest Synonyms for Miss

overlook
To fail to notice something present. He overlooked the error in the report due to tiredness.
fail
To not succeed at a specific task. She failed to complete the assignment before the deadline.
slip
To accidentally let an opportunity pass. He slipped the chance to call her back.
neglect
To carelessly allow something to be ignored. They neglected to lock the door before leaving.
omit
To leave something out intentionally or by mistake. I omitted the most important detail from my story.
drop
To let something fall or fail to catch. He dropped the ball during the final play.
forget
To lack memory of a fact or event. Please do not forget to bring your keys.
pass
To let a moment or opportunity go by without action. We passed the bus stop without stopping.
bypass
To go around something or avoid it. The plan bypassed the main obstacle entirely.
skip
To intentionally choose not to do something. They skipped the meeting because it was unproductive.
miss out
To lose the chance to enjoy something. You will miss out on the concert if you do not buy tickets.
elude
To succeed in avoiding capture or hitting a mark. The target eluded the aim of the arrow.

Formal Synonyms for Miss

omission
The act of leaving something out of a statement. There was a notable omission in the official record.
eschew
To deliberately avoid something. He eschewed all contact with the opposing team.
decline
To refuse an offer or invitation politely. She declined the invitation to the gala.
pass over
To refuse to select or promote someone. The committee passed over many qualified candidates.
neglect to
To fail to perform an expected action. They neglected to submit the required forms on time.
disregard
To choose not to take notice of something. She disregarded the warning signs on the road.
forfeit
To lose the right to something, often a prize. He forfeited the match by refusing to play.
fail to
This implies a lack of completion or success, as when one fails to attend a scheduled meeting.
shirk
This indicates avoiding a duty or responsibility, often through fear or laziness.
let slip
This phrase refers to accidentally allowing something to escape notice or control.
lose track of
This describes the inability to keep something in mind or follow a path, leading to forgetting its location.

Informal Synonyms for Miss

blow
To let an opportunity go badly. You blew your chance to get the job.
mess up
To make a mistake and fail. He messed up the shot right before the buzzer.
let slide
To allow a mistake to happen without stopping it. The teacher let the noise slide this time.
skirt
To avoid doing something difficult. He skirted the question when asked about the cost.
let go
To release something or an opportunity. You need to let go of that old grudge.
duck
To avoid doing something unpleasant. She ducked the question about her salary.
cut
To stop doing something abruptly. We cut the movie short due to the power outage.
fumble
To handle something clumsily and fail. The pitcher fumbled the ball during the game.

Stronger and Weaker Words

pass up
weaker, suggesting a missed opportunity to act
forgo
stronger, meaning to choose not to have something
ignore
stronger, denoting a conscious decision not to pay attention
lose
weaker, common term for not catching something or a person

Antonyms for Miss

  1. hit
  2. catch
  3. land
  4. hit on
  5. strike
  6. connect
  7. succeed
  8. achieve
  9. capture
  10. grab

How to Pick the Right Synonym

When selecting a synonym for miss, consider the context and the level of formality required. If you are describing a failure to hit a physical target, words like hit or strike are opposites, but for the failure itself, use fail or drop. For emotional disappointment, words like regret or sorrow might fit, though miss itself is often the best choice. In formal writing, prefer words like overlook or neglect to maintain a professional tone. For casual conversation, slang like blow it or mess up works well. Always check if the action was intentional; omit suggests choice, while forget implies an error in memory. Finally, consider the consequence of the miss; did it cause harm or just a lost opportunity?

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most common synonym for miss?

The most common synonym depends on the context, but fail is often used for general failure, while forget is used for memory lapses. Overlook is also very common when referring to things that were present but not noticed.

Can miss be used as a noun?

Yes, miss can be used as a noun to describe the action of failing to hit or catch something, such as missing a goal or missing a deadline. It can also refer to a person with a specific title in certain cultures.

What is the difference between miss and overlook?

Miss generally refers to failing to hit a target or catch an opportunity, whereas overlook specifically means failing to notice something that is right in front of you. Overlook often implies carelessness rather than a physical failure.

Are there any idioms related to missing?

Yes, there are many idioms such as miss the boat, which means missing an opportunity, or miss the mark, which means failing to achieve a goal. Another example is missing the point, which means not understanding the main idea of a conversation.

Sources and Further Reading

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