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

Sometimes, a bond sell-off is triggered by misinformation or something that isn't justified by economic fundamentals. —Susan Tompor, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025

The spread of misinformation about fluoride also plays a role. —Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025

Educating users on how to navigate these technologies is crucial, demanding any initiative to reduce the spread of misinformation. —Carina Schuster, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025

Tribeca alum Dan Krauss (The Kill Team, TF ‘13, TF ‘19) exposes the tangled web of deception spun by the U.S. government during its 20-year war in Afghanistan, revealing the campaign of lies and misinformation fed to the American public. —Katcy Stephan, Variety, 16 Apr. 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