misspoken
Verbally slipped up
Misspoken is the past participle of misspeak—to express oneself poorly or inaccurately, often unintentionally.
Politicians frequently claim to have misspoken when caught in controversial statements: I misspoke when I said the economy was strong.
The word often serves as a diplomatic way to walk back a gaffe without fully admitting error.
Minor error or misstep
- blunderFoolish, costly mistake
- gaffeClumsy social error
- flubClumsy error
- malapropismSound-alike word confusion
blooper · slip-up · fluff · stumble · tongue-twister · garble · muddle · miscommunication
Statement acknowledging wrongdoing
- clarificationMaking meaning plain
- retractionFormal withdrawal of statement
- rephrasingRestating in other words
- restatementRewording of something said
backtracking · amendment · walkback · qualification · disclaimer · explanation · recantation · withdrawal
Nervously upset and confused
- mortificationIntense shame or embarrassment
- awkwardLacking grace or ease
- red-facedShowing visible embarrassment
- self-consciousUncomfortably aware of oneself
chagrin · cringe · humiliation · shame · discomfiture · nervous · apologetic · sheepish
slip
Minor error or misstep
malapropism · blooper · slip-up · fluff · stumble · tongue-twister · garble · muddle · miscommunication · misquote
apology
Statement acknowledging wrongdoing
- clarificationMaking meaning plain
- retractionFormal withdrawal of statement
- rephrasingRestating in other words
restatement · backtracking · amendment · walkback · qualification · disclaimer · explanation · recantation · withdrawal · disavowal
flustered
Nervously upset and confused
- mortificationIntense shame or embarrassment
- awkwardLacking grace or ease
- red-facedShowing visible embarrassment
self-conscious · chagrin · cringe · humiliation · shame · discomfiture · nervous · apologetic · sheepish · contrite
misspokenarticulate
Express clearly, or well-spoken
eloquent · well-spoken · fluent · silver-tongued · glib
- I misspokeAdmitted speaking error