misdirection

noun

mis·​di·​rec·​tion ˌmis-də-ˈrek-shən 

-(ˌ)dī-

1

: a wrong direction

2

a

: the act or an instance of misdirecting or diverting

b

: the state of being misdirected

Examples of misdirection in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Its architecture, much like its previous owners, has a penchant for misdirection. — Natalie Hoberman, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026

But online and during public comments at Thursday’s Lake County Stormwater Management Commission meeting, some data center opponents framed the withdrawal as a misdirection, warning of the environmental dangers still posed by the development. — Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026

Mannion’s initial installations of motions and misdirection plays have been effective from my vantage point in team drills — not red flags in need of refinement. — Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026

But the more sinister aspects ultimately turn out to be deliberate misdirection in this tale of two men who find each other in the remote Faroe Islands of the mid-19th century. — Dennis Harvey, Variety, 26 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1675, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for misdirection

• circumspection
• disaffection
• disconnection
• disinfection
• dorsiflexion
• imperfection
• indirection
• insurrection
• intellection
• interjection
• intersection
• introjection