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

Through formational changes, motions and misdirection, McDaniel regularly forces linebackers to move before and after the snap. —Daniel Popper, New York Times, 26 Jan. 2026

Insisting that a barricade of battleships and roughly 15,000 armed troops at Venezuela’s border is a non-invasive police action is just another misdirection. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 14 Jan. 2026

Viewers are consistently pointed to Anna or Jack as the culprit, but like a bad magic trick, the misdirection is pretty noticeable. —Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 14 Jan. 2026

Gibbens flashed tremendous instincts versus a Dolphins offense designed to quickly displace defenders and create creases with motion and misdirection. —Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 6 Jan. 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