misidentification

noun

mis·​iden·​ti·​fi·​ca·​tion ˌmis-ī-ˌden-tə-fə-ˈkā-shən 

ˌmis-ə-

plural misidentifications

: incorrect or false identification

The long-term nature of a life insurance policy sometimes accounts for a misidentification of the insured.

—Harriett E. Jones et al.

In the finished novel, the central character insists on calling his girlfriend June, though her name is Joan—one of many obsessional misidentifications in [Henry] Green's fiction.

—Jeremy Treglown

Examples of misidentification in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Thus far, the resumption of exchanges appears to have allayed this threat, but the latest controversy over the apparent misidentification of Shiri's body has again threatened to derail talks toward the next phases of the ceasefire agreement. —Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 21 Feb. 2025

The officer recommended the Palestinians be dressed in army clothes to avoid misidentification. —Sam Mednick, Los Angeles Times, 25 May 2025

There's the risk of misidentification, security breaches, plus human or technological error. —Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 21 May 2025

As investigators try to establish a cause of death for the movie actor and his wife, their misidentification of Zinna could raise doubts about other parts of their investigation. —Rick Jervis, USA TODAY, 3 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1860, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for misidentification

• americanization
• anticoagulation
• antidiscrimination
• bioaccumulation
• bioremediation
• compartmentalization
• contextualization
• copolymerization
• decriminalization
• dehumidification
• demilitarization
• demineralization