Synonyms of mislead

mislead

verb

ˌmis-ˈlēd 

as in to deceive

to cause to believe what is untrue

the coral snake's attractive colors can mislead you into thinking that it is harmless

Synonyms & Similar Words

• deceive
• fool
• trick
• misinform
• delude
• misguide
• tease
• hoodwink
• dupe
• beguile
• bamboozle
• kid
• cheat
• hoax
• suck in
• sucker
• bluff
• humbug
• con
• hornswoggle
• sting
• cozen
• juggle
• spoof
• gull
• buffalo
• catch
• have on
• fake out
• string along
• have
• gaff
• take in
• burn
• snooker
• snow
• gammon
• do a number on
• lead one down the garden path
• defraud
• pull one's leg
• shortchange
• pull the wool over one's eyes
• swindle
• put on
• stick
• flimflam
• bleed
• mulct
• diddle
• fleece
• hustle
• skin
• euchre
• squeeze
• rook
• chisel

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• undeceive
• reveal
• expose
• tell
• uncover
• disclose
• unmask
• debunk
• show up
• divulge
• unveil
• disabuse
• disillusion
• uncloak
• disenchant

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb mislead differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of mislead are beguile, deceive, and delude. While all these words mean "to lead astray or frustrate usually by underhandedness," mislead implies a leading astray that may or may not be intentional.

I was misled by the confusing sign

When might beguile be a better fit than mislead?

In some situations, the words beguile and mislead are roughly equivalent. However, beguile stresses the use of charm and persuasion in deceiving.

was beguiled by false promises

When could deceive be used to replace mislead?

While in some cases nearly identical to mislead, deceive implies imposing a false idea or belief that causes ignorance, bewilderment, or helplessness.

tried to deceive me about the cost

In what contexts can delude take the place of mislead?

While the synonyms delude and mislead are close in meaning, delude implies deceiving so thoroughly as to obscure the truth.

we were deluded into thinking we were safe

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of mislead

Critics say Neugebauer is at best a bad manager and accuse him of misleading investors. —Chris Tomlinson, Houston Chronicle, 30 Apr. 2026

Despite strict labelling requirements and closer legal cooperation, misleading use of the GOTS certification claims persisted in 2025. —Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 29 Apr. 2026

With recent New York Federal Reserve Bank research showing that computer science majors now have more trouble finding jobs than humanities majors, the risk of misleading students with false curriculum certainties is genuine. —Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 29 Apr. 2026

Cherry Park claims the school district misled them during negotiations and did not act in the best interest of the public by ignoring a higher-value offer for taxpayers. —Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 29 Apr. 2026