misperception
noun
mis·per·cep·tion
ˌmis-pər-ˈsēp-shən 
plural misperceptions
: a false or inaccurate perception
… a host of misperceptions about the '50s, including the skewed notion that women didn't work in the 1950s, especially if they were mothers. Even in the '50s, one-fifth of mothers had paying jobs.—
Jeff Reid
Jeff Reid
Examples of misperception in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This misperception is impacting screening rates as less than half (44%) of Gen X women who are eligible for screening have undergone colonoscopies.
—Lipi Roy, Md, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
There's a bounty of factual information about the differences between organic and non-organic produce, in addition to many common public perceptions — and misperceptions — about which fruits and vegetables are safe and healthy.
—Joe Hernandez, NPR, 25 Mar. 2024
These misperceptions can lead to inappropriate judgments and misunderstandings in the workplace.
—Britney Porter, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2024
The district conducted the survey in partnership with the Town of Los Gatos, the Los Gatos Union School District and the Montana Institute, which works with schools to correct students’ misperceptions about alcohol and establish healthy norms around alcohol.
—Isha Trivedi, The Mercury News, 18 Feb. 2024
Unfortunately, the report furthered the misperception that Bow’s career was derailed by the advent of sound.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 10 Feb. 2024
This misperception, unfortunately, isn’t uncommon, especially in business.
—Stephanie Dillon, Rolling Stone, 31 Jan. 2024
And can misperceptions about resilience hurt people, rather than help?
—Rachel Goldsmith Turow, Discover Magazine, 8 Jan. 2024
High-level and repeated interaction is crucial to clear up misperception, avoid miscommunication, send unambiguous signals, and arrest downward spirals that could erupt into a major crisis.
—Jake Sullivan, Foreign Affairs, 24 Oct. 2023
Lipi Roy, Md, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
There's a bounty of factual information about the differences between organic and non-organic produce, in addition to many common public perceptions — and misperceptions — about which fruits and vegetables are safe and healthy.
—Joe Hernandez, NPR, 25 Mar. 2024
These misperceptions can lead to inappropriate judgments and misunderstandings in the workplace.
—Britney Porter, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2024
The district conducted the survey in partnership with the Town of Los Gatos, the Los Gatos Union School District and the Montana Institute, which works with schools to correct students’ misperceptions about alcohol and establish healthy norms around alcohol.
—Isha Trivedi, The Mercury News, 18 Feb. 2024
Unfortunately, the report furthered the misperception that Bow’s career was derailed by the advent of sound.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 10 Feb. 2024
This misperception, unfortunately, isn’t uncommon, especially in business.
—Stephanie Dillon, Rolling Stone, 31 Jan. 2024
And can misperceptions about resilience hurt people, rather than help?
—Rachel Goldsmith Turow, Discover Magazine, 8 Jan. 2024
High-level and repeated interaction is crucial to clear up misperception, avoid miscommunication, send unambiguous signals, and arrest downward spirals that could erupt into a major crisis.
—Jake Sullivan, Foreign Affairs, 24 Oct. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'misperception.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1722, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near misperception
Cite this Entry
“Misperception.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/misperception. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
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Medical Definition
misperception
noun
mis·per·cep·tion
ˌmis-pər-ˈsep-shən
: a false perception
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