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 But even if the reveal is so anticlimactic as to be more of a misdirection than a murder, a good one will leave us with a singular moment that emotionally resonates. — Andy Andersen, Vulture, 13 Apr. 2026 Writer-director Rian Johnson works his misdirection magic, and Wake Up Dead Man is just as satisfying as Knives Out (2019) and Glass Onion (2022). — James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Apr. 2026 Many seemingly complex magic tricks rely on a simple mix of old-fashioned sleight-of-hand and misdirection. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 1 Apr. 2026 House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell, D-Tampa, called the measure a misdirection of priorities by state lawmakers. — Jim Turner, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for misdirection

Recent Examples of Synonyms for misdirection

Noun

The former superintendent of the Hickman Mills School District was fired abruptly last July as the district faced state-level allegations of financial mismanagement and improper activity.

— Ilana Arougheti July 10, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2026
Increasingly severe wildfires — fueled by climate change and more than a century of forest mismanagement — have forced an environmental reckoning on mountain towns nestled in California’s Sierra Nevada.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026

Definition of mismanagement

Noun

Shilts made history as the first out gay reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle, and then again with this landmark book about the mishandling of the AIDS crisis in its early days.

— Michael Schaub, Oc Register, 25 June 2026
Special Counsel Robert Hur had obtained these recordings as part of his probe into Biden’s alleged mishandling of classified documents from his time as vice president and senator.

— Siladitya Ray, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026

Definition of mishandling

Noun

So far no concrete evidence has surfaced indicating malfeasance within the Justice Department in not filing charges.

— Justin Fishel, ABC News, 17 July 2026
The New York City Department of Investigation is the city’s independent watchdog agency, which investigates fraud, corruption, misconduct, municipal malfeasance, city employees, contractors, and individuals who do business with the city.

— Gloria Pazmino, CNN Money, 11 July 2026

Definition of malfeasance

Noun

Levin is a founding member of two law firms that handle injury litigation, medical malpractice claims, wrongful death cases, and mass tort matters.

— Malana VanTyler, USA Today, 15 July 2026
The production weaves memory and trauma into a visceral narrative that aims to serve as a powerful indictment of corporate malpractice.

— Alex Ritman, Variety, 14 July 2026

Definition of malpractice

Noun

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
Speed, alcohol, inattention, and disregard for the rules meant to keep everyone safe are among the most dangerous and deadly choices anyone can make on the water.

— Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 23 June 2026

Definition of inattention

Noun

Desirée can so often come off a bundle of cliches of actresses of a certain age, all narcissism, hedonism and irresponsibility.

— Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2026
The most probable path remains the baseline he’s been describing since last fall — debt grinding steadily higher, periodically goosed by crises or political irresponsibility, but partially offset by technological progress and labor force growth.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 28 May 2026

Definition of irresponsibility

Noun

And when misconduct does happen — rarely — security protocols frequently catch it.

— Ali Swenson, Chicago Tribune, 18 July 2026
Hanaway’s office filed a petition to remove Johnston from office, alleging misconduct, according to a news release from the attorney general’s office.

— Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 17 July 2026

Definition of misconduct

Noun

Symptoms can include forgetfulness, difficulty finding words and struggles with reasoning, problem solving and judgment.

— Edward Segarra, USA Today, 14 July 2026
Name Recall This is one of those areas where forgetfulness quickly goes from being a charming quirk to potentially offensive—an especially perilous hazard for a CEO.

— Aytekin Tank, Forbes.com, 7 July 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 22 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of misdirection

noun

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