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 vaccine misinformation advanced by the president and his science-denying Secretary of Health and Human Services is taking its toll on vaccination rates. —Mary Ellen Klas, Twin Cities, 11 Jan. 2026

Over the past year, Grok has been accused by critics of spreading misinformation about major news events, promoting antisemitic rhetoric and sharing misleading health information. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 10 Jan. 2026

In a recent post on Threads, the head of Instagram, Adam Mosseri, touched on his concerns surrounding AI misinformation’s becoming more common across platforms. —Angela Yang, NBC news, 9 Jan. 2026

In October 2023, Jemma DeCristo tweeted on social media there’s easy access to Zionist journalists who spread propaganda and misinformation. —Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 8 Jan. 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