✨📕 The NEWThe NEW Collegiate Dictionary, 12th Edition Over 5,000 words added — Buy Now! Collegiate DictionaryBuy Now!

mischaracterize

verb

mis·​char·​ac·​ter·​ize ˌmis-ˈker-ik-tə-ˌrīz How to pronounce mischaracterize (audio)
-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 mischaracterizedBenjamin Radford

Examples of mischaracterize in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The filing mischaracterizes the study and Meta’s decision to end it, Meta spokesperson Andy Stone said. Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 26 Nov. 2025 The solicitor general’s request, relying heavily on declarations from Homeland Security officials, mischaracterized the responsiveness of Chicago police and the behavior of protesters following an October 4 incident involving Border Patrol agents. Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2025 His approach centers on helping families recognize that mischaracterized fear is not an enemy to be fought, but a feeling to be understood and reframed. Maria Williams, USA Today, 12 Nov. 2025 Councilwoman Flor Alvidrez said during the meeting that she was disappointed that the mayor’s office would try to recruit the groups against an amendment and said administration officials mischaracterized the council amendments. Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 5 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mischaracterize

Word History

First Known Use

1798, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mischaracterize was in 1798

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mischaracterize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mischaracterize. Accessed 29 Nov. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!