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

The most frustrating aspect is that much of the reaction appeared to mischaracterize the article itself. — Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 22 June 2026

But in a lengthy statement on its website, Kars4Kids said the judge mischaracterized its work and its testimony at trial. — Rachel Treisman, NPR, 20 May 2026

An earlier version mischaracterized the move. — Samantha Subin, CNBC, 26 May 2026

Youngman said Adelman was misunderstood and mischaracterized as something of a grump without personality. — Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 3 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1798, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for mischaracterize

• contextualize
• industrialize
• materialise
• materialize
• memorialize
• microenterprise
• overemphasize
• particularize
• revolutionise
• revolutionize
• actualize
• antagonize