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

Tied at 16 late in the fourth quarter, the game was still in doubt until an inspired bit of misdirection just before the two-minute warning gave Baltimore its first lead since the first quarter. —Kevin Dotson, CNN Money, 17 Nov. 2025

Or Shanahan could use the gravity of McCaffrey to create misdirection and get the ball to another weapon. —Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025

TreVeyon Henderson covered 12 yards on a wham run, then 18 more on a misdirection toss where fullback Jack Westover and right guard Mike Onwenu presented false keys that indicated an inside run while Henderson zipped outside. —Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 28 Oct. 2025

Then Maron pulls off a masterful misdirection. —John Roy, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2025

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