misdirection

noun

mis·​di·​rec·​tion ˌmis-də-ˈrek-shən How to pronounce misdirection (audio)
-(ˌ)dī-
1
: a wrong direction
2
a
: the act or an instance of misdirecting or diverting
b
: the state of being misdirected

Examples of misdirection in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
For a defensive line now abiding by an attack-at-all-times philosophy, the Patriots reacted well to misdirection and space plays; two common counters to their style of defense. Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 10 Aug. 2025 The news roughly coincided with the promotion of a book whose authors argue that his inner circle engaged in misdirection, if not obfuscation, about his mental acuity near the end of his term. Dhruv Khullar, New Yorker, 22 May 2025 Trump’s use of diplomacy as an instrument of misdirection—Israel attacked two days before a scheduled round of U.S.-Iranian nuclear talks—likely validated those Iranians who believed all along that the United States could not be trusted. Hasan T. Alhasan, Foreign Affairs, 4 Aug. 2025 Perhaps, unsurprisingly, the title turns out to be a bit of misdirection. Keith Phipps, Vulture, 31 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for misdirection

Word History

First Known Use

1675, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of misdirection was in 1675

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Cite this Entry

“Misdirection.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/misdirection. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.

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