misinformation

noun

mis·​in·​for·​ma·​tion ˌmis-ˌin-fər-ˈmā-shən 

: incorrect or misleading information

Indubitably, a great deal of paranoid and otherwise irresponsible misinformation about the Kennedy assassination has traveled far and sold well …

—Ronnie Dugger

A muddle of misinformation keeps clouding the debate over hormone-replacement therapy for women.

—Melinda Beck

Each of these pieces of information (and misinformation) about me is sold for about two-fifths of a cent to advertisers, which then deliver me an Internet ad, send me a catalog or mail me a credit-card offer.

—Joel Stein

Examples of misinformation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

No matter the outlet, Kirk delighted in expressing his aggressive ideological positions and promoting misinformation. —Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 29 Apr. 2026

But misinformation campaigns and a lack of trust in public health officials have caused population-level protection against the virus to plummet. —Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026

During the Covid-19 pandemic, misinformation led people to decline vaccines, reject public health guidance, and turn to unproven treatments. —Ava Dzurenda, STAT, 24 Apr. 2026

But the statement isn’t entirely accurate, and may be causing some misinformation. —Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 24 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for misinformation

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration