misinformation

noun

mis·​in·​for·​ma·​tion ˌmis-ˌin-fər-ˈmā-shən 

: incorrect or misleading information

Indubitably, a great deal of paranoid and otherwise irresponsible misinformation about the Kennedy assassination has traveled far and sold well …

—Ronnie Dugger

A muddle of misinformation keeps clouding the debate over hormone-replacement therapy for women.

—Melinda Beck

Each of these pieces of information (and misinformation) about me is sold for about two-fifths of a cent to advertisers, which then deliver me an Internet ad, send me a catalog or mail me a credit-card offer.

—Joel Stein

Examples of misinformation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But facts are rarely enough to stop the onslaught of disinformation, the deliberate use of lies and misleading claims, and misinformation, its unwitting cousin. —Barbara McQuade, TIME, 15 July 2024

It should be consigned to the trash heap of lies and misinformation. —Neal Rubin, Detroit Free Press, 14 July 2024

In the heated aftermath, misinformation experts urged the public not to share unconfirmed information online. —Clara Ence Morse, Washington Post, 14 July 2024

This was two years after the character first appeared, which is another bit of misinformation circulating online — some are claiming Marvel deliberately named the character after the massacre. —James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined above