mischaracterize

verb

mis·char·ac·ter·ize ˌmis-ˈker-ik-tə-ˌrīz

-ˈka-rik-

mischaracterized; mischaracterizing

transitive verb

: 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

Examples of mischaracterize in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Back at Barclays Center for the first time since his roller-coaster second stint with the Nets ended with a February trade, the now-Lakers guard didn’t hesitate when he was asked if anything about his Brooklyn exit had been mischaracterized. —

Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 31 Mar. 2024 An earlier version of this story mischaracterized the ACLU's role in the lawsuit. —

USA TODAY, 20 June 2024 An earlier version of this article mischaracterized an index published by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation. —

Comfort Ero, Foreign Affairs, 12 Dec. 2023 So sometimes, obviously, as a player, things get mischaracterized or your voice gets drowned out. —

Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 31 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for mischaracterize

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mischaracterize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1798, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of mischaracterize was in 1798

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Mischaracterize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mischaracterize. Accessed 26 Jul. 2024.

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