as in deceptive
tending or having power to deceive
the misleading text of the advertisement would like you to believe that you're getting something for nothing
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in deceiving
to cause to believe what is untrue
the coral snake's attractive colors can mislead you into thinking that it is harmless
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of misleading
William Proctor, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2026
Hartsuch, a proponent of using ivermectin to treat COVID-19, alleges that in December 2021, Kent Nebel, then the executive director of the Board of Medicine, indicated that 17 Iowa doctors had complaints filed against them for spreading false or misleading information about COVID-19.
—Clark Kauffman, Iowa Capital Dispatch, 11 Apr. 2026
Protesters argue that the measure was misleading without an exact date set; the spokesperson pointed WCCO to several initiatives that the county is working through to repurpose HERC while staying within the bounds of waste management regulations.
—Conor Wight, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2026
Still others may be deliberately misleading, often hiding useful information or involving cheeky wordplay.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 Apr. 2026
Engel said the earlier data had created a misleading baseline.
—Austin Sanders, Austin American Statesman, 8 Apr. 2026
That per-cycle figure can be misleading.
—Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2026
This is a misleading and selective retelling.
—Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
This is technically true and profoundly misleading.
—Vikas Patel, STAT, 3 Apr. 2026
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Apr. 2026
In 2016, Ackman stood by former investor darling Valeant Pharmaceuticals, even as criticism mounted over the company’s aggressive drug price hikes and misleading SEC disclosures.
—Jacqueline Munis, Fortune, 7 Apr. 2026
Continue reading … ‘ABOMINATION’ — Turning Point USA slams Daily Mail over misleading Charlie Kirk murder coverage.
—FOXNews.com, 1 Apr. 2026
The day prior, in New Mexico, Meta was found liable for endangering children and misleading users about the safety of its platforms and ordered to pay $375 million in civil penalties.
—Yi-Jin Yu, ABC News, 27 Mar. 2026
The New Mexico court decision requires Meta to pay $375 million for misleading users.
—Lia Russell
march 25, Sacbee.com, 26 Mar. 2026
On Tuesday, a New Mexico jury ordered Meta to pay $375 million in civil penalties for failing to protect young users from predators and misleading them about the safety of its apps.
—Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 26 Mar. 2026
The New Mexico jury found Meta responsible for misleading consumers about the safety of its platforms, declaring that the tech company had flouted state consumer protection laws.
—Bobby Allyn, NPR, 25 Mar. 2026
The companies have been accused of misleading people about the safety and design of their apps.
—Jason Gewirtz, CNBC, 24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
Such allegations are widespread but misleading.
—William Proctor, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2026
Hartsuch, a proponent of using ivermectin to treat COVID-19, alleges that in December 2021, Kent Nebel, then the executive director of the Board of Medicine, indicated that 17 Iowa doctors had complaints filed against them for spreading false or misleading information about COVID-19.
—Clark Kauffman, Iowa Capital Dispatch, 11 Apr. 2026
Protesters argue that the measure was misleading without an exact date set; the spokesperson pointed WCCO to several initiatives that the county is working through to repurpose HERC while staying within the bounds of waste management regulations.
—Conor Wight, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2026
Still others may be deliberately misleading, often hiding useful information or involving cheeky wordplay.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 Apr. 2026
Engel said the earlier data had created a misleading baseline.
—Austin Sanders, Austin American Statesman, 8 Apr. 2026
That per-cycle figure can be misleading.
—Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2026
This is a misleading and selective retelling.
—Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
This is technically true and profoundly misleading.
—Vikas Patel, STAT, 3 Apr. 2026
Verb
Opened in 1881, Edinburgh’s oldest hotel comprises five Georgian townhouses built in the 18th century in the city’s somewhat-misleading-sounding New Town.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Apr. 2026
In 2016, Ackman stood by former investor darling Valeant Pharmaceuticals, even as criticism mounted over the company’s aggressive drug price hikes and misleading SEC disclosures.
—Jacqueline Munis, Fortune, 7 Apr. 2026
Continue reading … ‘ABOMINATION’ — Turning Point USA slams Daily Mail over misleading Charlie Kirk murder coverage.
—FOXNews.com, 1 Apr. 2026
The day prior, in New Mexico, Meta was found liable for endangering children and misleading users about the safety of its platforms and ordered to pay $375 million in civil penalties.
—Yi-Jin Yu, ABC News, 27 Mar. 2026
The New Mexico court decision requires Meta to pay $375 million for misleading users.
—Lia Russell
march 25, Sacbee.com, 26 Mar. 2026
On Tuesday, a New Mexico jury ordered Meta to pay $375 million in civil penalties for failing to protect young users from predators and misleading them about the safety of its apps.
—Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 26 Mar. 2026
The New Mexico jury found Meta responsible for misleading consumers about the safety of its platforms, declaring that the tech company had flouted state consumer protection laws.
—Bobby Allyn, NPR, 25 Mar. 2026
The companies have been accused of misleading people about the safety and design of their apps.
—Jason Gewirtz, CNBC, 24 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for misleading
Adjective
-
In the class action suit, Rodriguez requested a jury trial, damages, restitution and injunctive relief to prevent Hollister from continuing to use its alleged deceptive pricing practices.—
Jennifer Bringle,
Footwear News,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Samuel Nana Opoku, a resident of Fairfax County, Virginia, is facing charges of money laundering, felony theft by taking, five counts of identity fraud, and initiation of deceptive commercial email.—
Dan Raby,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Through the window, the lack of visible trees suggested a barren landscape, but looks are deceiving.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
6 Apr. 2026
-
The specifications on the Neo can be deceiving.—
Dwight Silverman,
Houston Chronicle,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Naturally, Yuga Labs sued Ripps, and his partner Cahen, alleging false advertising, trademark infringement, and cybersquatting.—
Harrison Jacobs,
ARTnews.com,
10 Apr. 2026
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Because of this, Becerra is also facing a misdemeanor count of attempting to induce false testimony.—
Nicole Macias Garibay,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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After tricking her way into her dream job, Liza discovers that disguising herself as a millennial and keeping her two lives separate is a job in and of itself.—
Andrew Walsh,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Apr. 2026
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Recall his central role in tricking immigrants in Texas to fly to Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts with empty promises of jobs.—
Howard L. Simon,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But Baio says Kassotis has been fooling people for years.—
Erin Moriarty,
CBS News,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Indeed, depth would only get in the way of the plot, which is primarily concerned with fooling you and fooling you again.—
Television Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Misleading.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misleading. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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