MISDIRECTION Synonyms: 47 Similar and Opposite Words

misdirection

noun

Definition of misdirection

as in mismanagement

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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 misdirection The switcheroo trend is one more lighthearted example of internet prank culture, with successful clips in the genre using comically obvious edits to highlight the misdirection and avoid any real danger of defamation. — David MacK, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026 Writer-director Steven Conrad employs a fair bit of misdirection, pointing our suspicions first to Clark and then to Carol. — Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2026 Its architecture, much like its previous owners, has a penchant for misdirection. — Natalie Hoberman, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026 But the more sinister aspects ultimately turn out to be deliberate misdirection in this tale of two men who find each other in the remote Faroe Islands of the mid-19th century. — Dennis Harvey, Variety, 26 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for misdirection

Recent Examples of Synonyms for misdirection

Noun

He was hired by Italy’s Agnelli family to run Fiat in 2004 when, due to previous mismanagement and the recession, few in the auto industry believed it could be saved.

— Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
Earlier demonstrations erupted over mismanagement of a string of public examinations, and broader youth disenchantment with the authorities.

— Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of mismanagement

Noun

Four years before that, the governor ordered an independent review into capital punishment after abruptly stopping the April 2022 execution of Oscar Smith in the 11th hour when officials became aware of a mishandling of the drugs.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026
The bill was ushered through the state General Assembly after the discovery of extensive mishandling of bodies at a Carlinville funeral home, where at least 80 families were given the wrong remains.

— Casey Toner, CBS News, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of mishandling

Noun

There was a great deal of anger—about government malfeasance, a widening wealth gap, and an impossibly tight labor market—especially among young Koreans like Oh.

— E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
With many in the party pushing for investigations of potential malfeasance by the administration, party leaders will face tough choices about consequences if those probes do turn up wrongdoing.

— Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of malfeasance

Noun

The Times’ belated discovery of Bragg’s malpractice emerged through an unlikely incident that has not been reported in full.

— Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2026
Reasonable people can disagree about where Clark belonged behind Wilson, but leaving the Fever superstar outside the top five is borderline malpractice.

— Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of malpractice

Noun

Washington’s preoccupation with its own domestic politics, inattention to the region’s nuances, and inflated fears of Chinese and Russian advances all made the United States an easy mark for manipulative local powers.

— MARC LYNCH, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026
In sports, mind-wandering is often seen as negative because inattention at a crucial moment can lead to disaster.

— Eric Zillmer, Scientific American, 26 June 2026

Definition of inattention

Noun

On a political level, Shelley’s monster pandemic served as a warning of what horrifying fates might await the whole of humanity if conflict and irresponsibility were left unchecked worldwide.

— Eileen Hunt, Fortune, 28 Sep. 2026
This tradition viewed progressive nationalism as using promises of reform and demagogic tirades against scapegoats abroad to distract from their own corruption and irresponsibility.

— Andre Pagliarini, The Conversation, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of irresponsibility

Noun

The reports come after misconduct findings against some interfraternity chapters in the spring and multiple criminal investigations, according to the letter.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 Oct. 2026
British police acknowledged applying for the warrants under the wrong statutory provision, the judge said while stipulating that the misconduct investigation against the king's brother could continue.

— Steve Hendrix, Washington Post, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of misconduct

Noun

The woman’s vanity and the husband’s forgetfulness collide to sow chaos and discord in the house.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2026
Occasional forgetfulness—like misplacing items or struggling to recall a word—is a normal part of aging, especially if the information eventually comes back.

— Danielle Zickl, HEALTH, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of forgetfulness

Browse Nearby Words

misdirected

misdirection

misdoer

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Style

“Misdirection.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misdirection. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of misdirection

noun

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