misinformation

noun

mis·​in·​for·​ma·​tion ˌmis-ˌin-fər-ˈmā-shən How to pronounce misinformation (audio)
: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Swathes of research and reports exist about how the structure of the online world can serve to spread misinformation. Callum Booth, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025 Newsom hit back both in interviews and via a fact-checking website, accusing the president and his allies of spreading misinformation. Lia Russell, Sacramento Bee, 24 Jan. 2025 At the same time, a torrent of misinformation on Musk’s platform – plenty of it born from anger over high levels of migration – has unnerved Europe’s governments. Rob Picheta, CNN, 23 Jan. 2025 The agency has established a fact-checking page to combat the misinformation about its response that spread online. John Yoo and John Shu, Newsweek, 23 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for misinformation 

Word History

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of misinformation was in 1605

Dictionary Entries Near misinformation

Cite this Entry

“Misinformation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/misinformation. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on misinformation

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!