Synonyms of mislead

mislead

verb

ˌmis-ˈlēd 

as in to deceive

to cause to believe what is untrue

the coral snake's attractive colors can mislead you into thinking that it is harmless

Synonyms & Similar Words

• deceive
• fool
• trick
• misinform
• delude
• misguide
• tease
• hoodwink
• dupe
• beguile
• bamboozle
• kid
• cheat
• hoax
• suck in
• sucker
• bluff
• humbug
• con
• sting
• cozen
• juggle
• spoof
• gull
• buffalo
• catch
• have on
• string along
• have
• gaff
• take in
• burn
• snow
• hornswoggle
• gammon
• fake out
• do a number on
• snooker
• lead one up the garden path
• lead one down the garden path
• defraud
• pull one's leg
• shortchange
• pull the wool over one's eyes
• swindle
• put on
• stick
• bleed
• mulct
• diddle
• hustle
• fleece
• flimflam
• skin
• squeeze
• euchre
• rook
• chisel

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• undeceive
• reveal
• expose
• tell
• uncover
• disclose
• unmask
• debunk
• show up
• divulge
• unveil
• disabuse
• disillusion
• uncloak
• disenchant

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb mislead differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of mislead are beguile, deceive, and delude. While all these words mean "to lead astray or frustrate usually by underhandedness," mislead implies a leading astray that may or may not be intentional.

I was misled by the confusing sign

When might beguile be a better fit than mislead?

In some situations, the words beguile and mislead are roughly equivalent. However, beguile stresses the use of charm and persuasion in deceiving.

was beguiled by false promises

When could deceive be used to replace mislead?

While in some cases nearly identical to mislead, deceive implies imposing a false idea or belief that causes ignorance, bewilderment, or helplessness.

tried to deceive me about the cost

In what contexts can delude take the place of mislead?

While the synonyms delude and mislead are close in meaning, delude implies deceiving so thoroughly as to obscure the truth.

we were deluded into thinking we were safe

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of mislead

According to Adair, marketing can link protein to misleading promises about appearance and contribute to poor self-esteem. —Melissa Willets, Parents, 9 Sep. 2025

Smith attacked the language of the proposal as an attempt to mislead voters into overhauling the initiative petition process. —Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 8 Sep. 2025

Clem said residents have been misled since the development first began taking shape. —Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Sep. 2025

Well, they haven't been misled. —ABC News, 7 Sep. 2025