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disinformation

dis-in-fer-MAY-shun /ˌdɪs.ɪn.fəˈmeɪ.ʃən/

nounC1GRESATIELTSUPSC

formalpoliticaljournalistic

False or misleading information spread intentionally to deceive, influence public opinion, or cause confusion.

Crucially requires intent to deceive, unlike 'misinformation', which refers to false information spread unintentionally.

The story behind the word. The term originated as 'dezinformatsiya', title of a special Soviet intelligence black-operations division in 1923. It entered Western intelligence vocabulary during the Cold War to denote covert operations designed to manipulate enemy public opinion.

Word relationships

propaganda: 'Propaganda' uses biased or emotional messaging to promote a political cause; 'disinformation' relies specifically on false facts constructed deliberately to deceive.
misinformation: 'Misinformation' is false information shared regardless of intent, whereas 'disinformation' is deliberately crafted deception.

truth: Truth reflects accurate, verifiable factual reality.
accuracy: Accuracy implies correctness and adherence to truth.

Commonly confused with

misinformation: Misinformation is wrong by mistake; disinformation is wrong by deliberate design.

Word family

disinform (verb): To deliberately supply false information.

Collocations

disinformation campaign
spread disinformation
combat disinformation
deliberate disinformation

Example sentences

"Foreign intelligence agencies launched a sophisticated campaign of disinformation to sow distrust in the democratic election process." Electoral integrity
"Journalists worked tirelessly to debunk medical disinformation circulating across social media platforms." Public health journalism

Memory hook

DIS-information = DIShonest information crafted to trick you. Disinformation is dishonest information by design.

When not to use

Do not use when someone simply makes an honest mistake without malicious intent; use 'misinformation' instead.

Fun facts

The word was intentionally given a French-sounding structure by Soviet planners so Western powers would assume it was a capitalistic Western term!