misguided

adjective

mis·​guid·​ed (ˌ)mis-ˈgī-dəd 

: led or prompted by wrong or inappropriate motives or ideals

well-meaning but misguided do-gooders

misguidedly

(ˌ)mis-ˈgī-dəd-lē 

adverb

misguidedness

(ˌ)mis-ˈgī-dəd-nəs 

noun

Examples of misguided in a Sentence

She's been getting a lot of bad advice from misguided friends.

He blames the crisis on the government's misguided economic policies.

a misguided attempt to help

Recent Examples on the Web

This misguided motion by a Democratic Socialist councilmember deserves a loud, emphatic no vote from the full City Council. —Matt Klink, Oc Register, 1 May 2026

Some patients, particularly the younger ones, are coming in after using AI to diagnose their symptoms — or their parents, suggesting all kinds of misguided illnesses. —Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2026

The clash between misguided concepts of individual freedom and the necessities of social responsibility won’t end soon. —Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2026

So long as men can breathe or eyes can see, literature will outlast the foibles of misguided mortals. —Charlie Tyson, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1500, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for misguided

• abided
• collided
• confided
• decided
• derided
• divided
• elided
• lopsided
• nitrided
• presided
• provided
• resided