misinformation
miss-in-fer-MAY-shun
/ˌmɪs.ɪn.fəˈmeɪ.ʃən/
False or inaccurate information, especially that which is deliberately intended to deceive or is inadvertently spread.
Broad term covering both innocent mistakes and rumors passed along by people who genuinely believe them to be true.
The story behind the word. Formed in late 16th-century English by attaching the Germanic prefix 'mis-' (bad/wrong) to 'information', the word described giving inaccurate reports or incorrect directions long before mass broadcasting existed.
Word relationships
- error: An error is a miscalculation or mistake, while misinformation focuses on false claims communicated to others.
- falsehood: A falsehood is any untrue statement, whereas misinformation emphasizes the public distribution of bad data.
- factual data: Factual data is rigorously verified accurate information.
- accuracy: Accuracy reflects conformity to truth without errors.
Commonly confused with
- disinformation: Misinformation can be shared accidentally, whereas disinformation is always intentionally deceptive.
Word family
- misinform (verb): To give false or inaccurate information to someone.
Collocations
- spread misinformation
- combat misinformation
- rampant misinformation
- inadvertent misinformation
Example sentences
- "In the early weeks of the pandemic, rampant misinformation regarding unproven remedies spread quickly across social networks." Public health analysis
- "Initial police reports contained misinformation about the accident location due to conflicting eyewitness accounts." Emergency response reporting
Memory hook
MIS-TAKEN INFORMATION shared with others is MISINFORMATION. Incorrect facts shared with or without bad intent.
When not to use
Avoid using if you specifically need to highlight state-level covert military deception (use 'disinformation' instead).
Fun facts
- Dictionary.com declared 'misinformation' its Word of the Year in 2018 to highlight how peer-to-peer sharing amplifies unverified claims.
Related words
Explore more words
disinformation, deceitful, error, distortion, miss the mark, inadvertent
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