misrepresent

verb

mis·​rep·​re·​sent (ˌ)mis-ˌre-pri-ˈzent How to pronounce misrepresent (audio)
misrepresented; misrepresenting; misrepresents

transitive verb

1
: to give a false or misleading representation of usually with an intent to deceive or be unfair
misrepresented the facts
2
: to serve badly or improperly as a representative of
misrepresentation noun
misrepresentative adjective

Examples of misrepresent in a Sentence

The company is accused of misrepresenting its earnings. The movie deliberately misrepresents the facts about her life.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Economically motivated adulteration happens when food is misrepresented for financial gain, leading to a marketplace filled with counterfeit products that cut corners. Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024 According to the indictment, from about November 2020 to around June 2024, Smith-Griffin misrepresented AllHere’s revenue, customer base and cash to investors. Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 20 Nov. 2024 The question at the center of the Rhinelander trial was this: Did Alice misrepresent herself to her husband as white and withhold her true racial ancestry? Bryan Greene, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 Nov. 2024 Kennedy suspended his longshot presidential campaign in August and had warned that listing his name on the ballot risked misrepresenting to voters his willingness to serve if elected to the White House. Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 29 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for misrepresent 

Word History

First Known Use

1649, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of misrepresent was in 1649

Dictionary Entries Near misrepresent

Cite this Entry

“Misrepresent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/misrepresent. Accessed 7 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

misrepresent

verb
mis·​rep·​re·​sent (ˌ)mis-ˌrep-ri-ˈzent How to pronounce misrepresent (audio)
: to give a false or misleading idea of
misrepresentation noun

Legal Definition

misrepresent

transitive verb
mis·​rep·​re·​sent mis-ˌre-pri-ˈzent How to pronounce misrepresent (audio)
: to make a misrepresentation about

intransitive verb

: to make a misrepresentation
misrepresentative adjective
misrepresenter noun

More from Merriam-Webster on misrepresent

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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