misinform

verb

mis·​in·​form ˌmis-in-ˈfȯrm How to pronounce misinform (audio)
misinformed; misinforming; misinforms

transitive verb

: to give incorrect or misleading information to (someone) : to inform (someone) wrongly
That small, self-serving cabal managed to misinform generations of Americans with malicious myths that misshaped history.Dana D. Kelley
"Pardon me," interrupted Alfred Inglethorp, "you have been misinformed. I had no quarrel with my dear wife. … "Agatha Christie
see also misinformed

Examples of misinform in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web There are too many ways bad actors can hijack our news cycle and misinform us on social media. Landon Block, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Feb. 2024 While growers could be misinformed about seed sources, DNA doesn’t lie. Benjamin Adams, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2023 Most do not take it — many don’t know about it or have been misinformed about its side effects. Gina Kolata, New York Times, 15 Nov. 2023 Is this member misinforming me for some unknown reason? Kelly G. Richardson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Oct. 2023 Failing to do so runs the risk of confusing and actively misinforming the public, with warring factions retreating even deeper into their respective corners, pointing fingers at one another, with civilians caught in the middle. Oliver Darcy, CNN, 18 Oct. 2023 The plane’s flight director was faulty; the air traffic controller was distracted; the crew had been misinformed about the weather. Ellen Barry Hilary Swift, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2023 Some law enforcement leaders accuse cop-watchers of selectively editing videos, misinforming citizens, inspiring vitriol toward police, escalating tensions during police interactions with civilians, and endangering officers and civilians. Robert Klemko, Anchorage Daily News, 10 Aug. 2023 DeSantis hit back by calling the attacks misinformed and inviting Harris to Florida to discuss the state's black history standards with one of the educators who helped create them. Haisten Willis, Washington Examiner, 1 Aug. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'misinform.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of misinform was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near misinform

Cite this Entry

“Misinform.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/misinform. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

misinform

verb
mis·​in·​form
ˌmis-ən-ˈfȯ(ə)rm
: to give false or misleading information to
misinformation
ˌmis-ˌin-fər-ˈmā-shən
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on misinform

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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