Wrongheaded: meaning, definitions and examples

🤔
Add to dictionary

wrongheaded

 

[ rɔːŋˈhɛdɪd ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

belief or opinion

The term 'wrongheaded' refers to a belief or opinion that is misguided, mistaken, or based on incorrect reasoning. It describes a person or a group that is obstinately pursuing a course of action that is clearly unwise or erroneous. Wrongheaded ideas can lead to poor decision-making and negative consequences, often because the person fails to consider alternative viewpoints or evidence. This adjective is commonly used in discussions where logic and rationality are being undermined by flawed thinking.

Synonyms

erroneous, foolish, illogical, misguided, mistaken

Examples of usage

  • His wrongheaded decision cost the company millions.
  • The committee's wrongheaded approach to the problem only made it worse.
  • Her wrongheaded beliefs about health were harmful to her well-being.

Translations

Translations of the word "wrongheaded" in other languages:

🇵🇹 equivocado

🇮🇳 गलत सोच वाला

🇩🇪 falsch

🇮🇩 salah paham

🇺🇦 неправильний

🇵🇱 błędny

🇯🇵 間違った考えの

🇫🇷 erroné

🇪🇸 equivocado

🇹🇷 yanlış düşünceli

🇰🇷 잘못된 생각의

🇸🇦 خاطئ التفكير

🇨🇿 špatný

🇸🇰 nesprávny

🇨🇳 错误的思维

🇸🇮 napačen

🇮🇸 rangur

🇰🇿 қате ойлау

🇬🇪 მცდარი აზროვნების

🇦🇿 səhv düşüncəli

🇲🇽 equivocado

Etymology

The word 'wrongheaded' emerged in the early 19th century, combining 'wrong,' from Old English 'wrang,' meaning 'crooked, unjust, or evil,' with 'headed,' which denotes a tendency or direction, often illustrated by terms like 'hardheaded.' It initially described a person possessing an incorrect direction in thought or action. Over time, 'wrongheaded' became widely used in various contexts, particularly in political, philosophical, and personal discussions, to articulate the idea of stubborn adherence to erroneous beliefs despite contradictory evidence. The usage reflects a broader societal concern about critical thinking and rational discourse, as the implications of being wrongheaded continue to resonate in public debates.