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Disinformation

dis-in-fer-MAY-shun /ˌdɪsɪnfərˈmeɪʃən/

nounC1GRETOEFLIELTS

formaltechnical

False information, especially that which is intended to deceive and mislead, often spread by governments or political organizations.

Crucially, disinformation is intentionally false and designed to mislead, distinguishing it from misinformation (which can be unintentionally false).

The story behind the word. The word 'disinformation' is a direct translation (a 'calque') of the Russian word dezinformatsiya, which was coined in the 1920s by the Soviet Union's intelligence agencies. It was used to describe the systematic spreading of false information to mislead an enemy or influence public opinion. The prefix dis- (meaning 'apart' or 'away') combined with 'information' clearly conveys its meaning of distorting or removing truth from information.

Word relationships

Propaganda: Information (often biased or misleading) used to promote a political cause or point of view; disinformation is a specific type of propaganda that is intentionally false.
Deception: The act of misleading; disinformation is a specific tool of deception.
Falsehoods: General term for untrue statements; disinformation implies strategic intent.

Truth: Accurate and factual information.
Fact: A piece of information presented as objectively real.

Commonly confused with

Misinformation: Misinformation is incorrect or misleading information, regardless of intent; disinformation is deliberately false and intended to deceive.

Collocations

spread disinformation
disinformation campaign
combat disinformation
political disinformation

Example sentences

"State-sponsored disinformation campaigns aim to sow discord and influence public opinion in foreign countries." A political science lecture.
"The spread of disinformation on social media platforms poses a significant threat to democratic processes." A news analysis.

Memory hook

Remember 'DIS-' (negative, opposite) + 'INFORMATION' = information that is the opposite of truth. False info (intentional)

When not to use

Do not use for genuine mistakes or accidental sharing of incorrect information; it implies deliberate malice and intent to deceive.

Fun facts

The term 'disinformation' was largely unknown in the West until the 1980s, when it began to be used to describe Soviet propaganda tactics.