misconceptions

noun

plural of misconception
as in myths
a false idea or belief it is a popular misconception that the Great Wall of China is visible from outer space

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of misconceptions There are already too many misconceptions surrounding Socialism and social democracy. — Chicago Tribune, 3 Nov. 2026 But they could also be described as misconceptions, misunderstandings, or straight up bad information. — Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 1 Nov. 2026 The raw conversation between a Jewish woman and a Black man highlighted numerous misconceptions about Jews and Israel. — Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 29 Oct. 2026 That’s compounded by common misconceptions about state laws regarding each party’s role on the road. — Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 22 Oct. 2026 The mental toll that comes with Ebola Losing relatives to disease outbreaks is always difficult, but responders say grief can be especially severe with Ebola in a country where the disease is viewed by many as evil due to rumors and misconceptions. — Constant Same Bagalwa, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026 Losing relatives to disease outbreaks is always difficult, but responders say grief can be especially severe with Ebola in a country where the disease is viewed by many as evil due to rumors and misconceptions. — ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026 Take the quiz here … LISTEN Tune in to explore common misconceptions about gun violence in America, the history of the Second Amendment, and why preventing homicides may require a different approach to public safety. — FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026 Companies using the technology say some concerns stem from misconceptions about how their pricing tools work. — Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for misconceptions
  1. myths
  2. delusions
  3. errors
  4. illusions
Noun
  • Also intertwined are ancient myths of warring city-states, the raw, moody poetry of John Keats, and the modern battle between a faithless husband and his wife, the poem’s raging speaker.
    — Merve Emre, New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2026
  • But Brigid also appears throughout the early Irish myths as a member of the aes sidhe.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of myths
Noun
  • More than anything, Swift’s masterpiece stands athwart Utopia and denounces the risky delusions of such a no-pace—for the most part.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Their passions and delusions strengthen through their symbiosis.
    — Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of delusions
Noun
  • But officials there said that the list appeared to be filled with errors and that setting the ballots aside could effectively disenfranchise legal voters.
    — Lindsay Whitehurst, Chicago Tribune, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The proposal would also establish that technical errors or inadvertent mistakes in the process cannot be a basis to stop the project.
    — Digital Producer, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of errors
Noun
  • Their fourth-quarter magic is gone, replaced by fourth-quarter illusions.
    — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Cognitive symptoms could include illusions or hallucinations — some patients report sensing a shadowy figure nearby — and difficulties with problem solving and navigation.
    — Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of illusions

Browse Nearby Words

misconception
misconceptions
misconduct
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Misconceptions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misconceptions. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of cockamamie

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Old-Timey Vehicles

The Words of the Week - Nov. 6

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
woman sitting on floor holding book in front of her face on pink background
Famous Novels, Last Lines Quiz Needless to say, spoiler alert.
See All