misinformation

noun

mis·​in·​for·​ma·​tion ˌmis-ˌin-fər-ˈmā-shən 

: incorrect or misleading information

Indubitably, a great deal of paranoid and otherwise irresponsible misinformation about the Kennedy assassination has traveled far and sold well …

—Ronnie Dugger

A muddle of misinformation keeps clouding the debate over hormone-replacement therapy for women.

—Melinda Beck

Each of these pieces of information (and misinformation) about me is sold for about two-fifths of a cent to advertisers, which then deliver me an Internet ad, send me a catalog or mail me a credit-card offer.

—Joel Stein

Examples of misinformation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But in a world where health misinformation can make its purveyors into stars—and wealthy ones, at that—retribution is often brief. —Charlotte Lytton, Time, 13 May 2025

Furthermore, YouTube misinformation policies prohibit content that has been technically manipulated or doctored in a way that misleads viewers. —Jake Kanter, Deadline, 12 May 2025

In Australia, for example, people in regional areas are much more concerned about misinformation originating from activist groups than urban dwellers. —Lauren Crystal, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025

Their campaign of misinformation then becomes a self-fulfilling loop: The Empire building an armory on Ghorman is necessary because the Ghor threat is so great; the Empire denigrating a Ghor memorial to unarmed protesters massacred by Grand Moff Tarkin is what this uppity planet deserves. —Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 7 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for misinformation

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration