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misinformation

misinformation

63 4.6
Information that is wrong and shared by mistake
  • noun
  • /ˌmɪsɪnˈfɔːrmeɪʃən/
: información errónea
  • They found that misinformation was wildly more popular.
  • spread of misinformation
  • correct misinformation
  • a misinformation campaign

He himself lies, spreads misinformation, disinformation all the time.

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Examples

  • Staff stressed the need to eliminate misinformation with respect to the origins of the disease and the effects of medications.

    Academic text (2017)
  • A lack of trust has led to a dangerous spread of misinformation regarding the virus.

  • I think that the amount of misinformation can go up.

  • Can you give me an example of the misinformation in the recent years?

  • It's misinformation in the intelligence community.

  • Who gave you that misinformation?

  • There was a common theme in all of them; the same misinformation was repeated.

    Academic text (1995)
  • On the other hand, the abundance of information may actually be misinformation.

    Academic text (2017)
  • A lack of trust has led to this virus of misinformation and disinformation.

  • Fieldwork helps us move past stereotypes and misinformation; it is the only way to find real geography.

    Academic text (2001)

Synonyms

falsehood
vsmisinformation
46 4.3

A statement that is not true

is broader and focuses on incorrect information spread without intention
misrepresentation
vsmisinformation
25 7.5

A statement that gives false information about something

is the wider category of incorrect information that may be unintentional
fake news
vsmisinformation
5 3.9

False or misleading news stories that try to trick people

is broader and often lacks the clear deceptive intent of this practice
Faux News
vsmisinformation
  • Slang
2 8.9

News that is false or misleading and meant to change people's opinions

is the general term for incorrect information, often spread without intent
misreporting
vsmisinformation
1 5.3

Giving wrong information in official papers or records

is the general label for false information typically without intent to deceive
misreport
vsmisinformation
6.1

A report that gives wrong information, often by mistake

is any false information usually spread unintentionally

Antonyms

∞ 1.0

Something that can be shown to be true, not an opinion

How Accurate

information
∞ 1.0
inaccuracy
24 4.9
misinformation
63 4.6

Surface Forms

misinformation singular

Morphology

misinformation = information (transparent) = mis + information

Formed by the productive prefix 'mis-' meaning 'wrongly' + 'information' (facts/knowledge), so the meaning 'false information' is directly predictable.

Etymology

Misinformation comes from the prefix mis- meaning 'wrong' and the word information, so it literally means 'wrong information'. That's why misinformation describes facts or messages that are not correct and are often spread by accident.