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

While misinformation and inflated promises drive the public narrative, AI is already reshaping industries like healthcare, finance and retail. —Nik Froehlich, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025

One of the problems facing America, Obama said, is the spread of misinformation and disinformation. —Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 18 June 2025

Kennedy later appointed to the panel a physician criticized for spreading COVID-19 misinformation and conspiracy theories. —Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 17 June 2025

This follows a period of rioting and unrest in the UK last year after an anti-immigrant misinformation campaign stoked outrage over a stabbing attack in Southport, northern England. —Tamara Hardingham-Gill, CNN Money, 16 June 2025

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