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

Examples of misperception in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

These misperceptions lead to confusion and help explain the program’s fiscal issues. —Editorial, Boston Herald, 15 Aug. 2025

This misperception weakens the mandate for action, discouraging executives from pursuing bold strategies for fear of reputational backlash or political reprisal. —Felicia Jackson, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025

The subtle, gentle and emotionally vulnerable Vasquez can deliver in the same moment qualities that are both sweet and cruel, or giving and selfish, which are key traits for a character whose truth is shrouded in memories and misperceptions. —Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 June 2025

Public media officials say those arguments are rooted in exaggerations and misperceptions about what the networks actually air. —Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 12 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1722, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for misperception

• apperception
• contraception
• interception
• misconception
• preconception
• conception
• deception
• exception
• inception
• perception
• reception
• intussusception

Medical Definition

misperception

noun

mis·​per·​cep·​tion ˌmis-pər-ˈsep-shən 

: a false perception