misinformation
mis-in-fer-MAY-shun
/ˌmɪs.ɪn.fəˈmeɪ.ʃən/
False or inaccurate information that is spread regardless of whether there is intent to deceive.
Focuses on the incorrectness of the content rather than the motive of the person sharing it. It often spreads through genuine mistakes or confusion.
The story behind the word. The term combines the Old English prefix 'mis-' (meaning badly or wrongly) with 'information', which came from Latin 'informare' via Old French. Historically used to denote honest mistakes in news transmission, the word exploded in modern media studies to isolate human error from state-sponsored deceptive ops.
Word relationships
- misleading information: Broader term that includes true facts framed in a deceptive manner.
- inaccuracy: Refers to factual error without emphasizing its transmission through social networks.
- fact: A truth verified by empirical evidence.
- accurate data: Information that precisely reflects reality.
Commonly confused with
- disinformation: Misinformation lacks intent to harm or deceive; disinformation is intentionally malicious.
Word family
- misinform (verb): To give false or inaccurate information to someone.
- misinformed (adjective): Having or based on wrong information.
Collocations
- rampant misinformation
- spread misinformation
- combat misinformation
- misinformation campaign
Idioms & expressions
- grapevine gossip
- whispering campaign
Example sentences
- "During the early weeks of the outbreak, well-meaning citizens unknowingly shared medical misinformation on social messaging apps." Public Health
- "The correction column was created to fix historical misinformation printed in previous editions of the newspaper." Journalism Ethics
Memory hook
MIS-information is just a MIS-take. Nobody meant to hurt anyone; they were simply wrong. MIS-taken data, shared without malice.
When not to use
Do not use if the creator constructed the falsehood with deliberate malicious intent to deceive; use 'disinformation' instead.
Fun facts
- In legal contexts, publishing misinformation can lead to liability even if no malice was intended.
Related words
Explore more words
disinformation, deceitful, error, distortion, miss the mark, inadvertent
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