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

The pandemic gave him a broader audience, even after social media platforms suspended accounts associated with him for spreading misinformation. —Rebecca Davis O’Brien, New York Times, 10 June 2024

Heritage’s governing manifesto also proposes relieving the Department of Homeland Security of its work identifying misinformation and disinformation on social media. —Jon D. Michaels, Foreign Affairs, 10 June 2024

Cochise County: How election misinformation, conspiracies led to felony grand jury indictments in rural Arizona. Elections Procedures Manual: A judge says the new voting rulebook meets Arizona law and dismisses a lawsuit from national Republicans. —The Arizona Republic, 6 June 2024

Mikkelson, a Democrat, and other city leaders argue the debate has led to widespread misinformation in the community about their goals with housing policy and what changes are actually on the table. —Sarah Ritter, Kansas City Star, 5 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined above