mischaracterize
verb
mis·char·ac·ter·ize
ˌmis-ˈker-ik-tə-ˌrīz 
-ˈka-rik-
mischaracterized; mischaracterizing
: to characterize (someone or something) wrongly
mischaracterized his position on the issue
In many cases, the problems that the news media, activists, and politicians hype are real enough; however they are frequently greatly exaggerated and mischaracterized …—
Benjamin Radford
Benjamin RadfordExamples of mischaracterize in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Wright also said Wood’s $975 million estimate of total economic impact mischaracterized the study.
—Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026
Clearer guidance from the IRS about how need-based, noncommercial transfers should be treated could reduce the risk that emergency support is mischaracterized as income.
—Pamala Wiepking, The Conversation, 23 Feb. 2026
An earlier version mischaracterized the figure.
—Annie Palmer, CNBC, 13 Feb. 2026
Besides mischaracterizing the people documenting federal agents’ abuse, the author seems not to understand the First Amendment.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mischaracterize
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Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026
Clearer guidance from the IRS about how need-based, noncommercial transfers should be treated could reduce the risk that emergency support is mischaracterized as income.
—Pamala Wiepking, The Conversation, 23 Feb. 2026
An earlier version mischaracterized the figure.
—Annie Palmer, CNBC, 13 Feb. 2026
Besides mischaracterizing the people documenting federal agents’ abuse, the author seems not to understand the First Amendment.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mischaracterize
Cite this Entry
“Mischaracterize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mischaracterize. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
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