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

And Crane noted that the current DHS point person for elections, Heather Honey, also has a long history of spreading election misinformation. —Miles Parks, NPR, 16 June 2026

The American Academy of Dermatology conducted its annual Practice Safe Sun Survey last month, which showed that 64% of Gen Z, those born between 1997 and 2012, encountered sunscreen misinformation online. —Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 16 June 2026

New guidelines address the modern challenges of social media, misinformation, and potential online harassment of scientists. —Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 15 June 2026

Health workers in the Democratic Republic of Congo said misinformation regarding the Ebola virus was hindering efforts to contain the outbreak, as official cases approached 1,000. —Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 15 June 2026

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