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misinformation

misinformation

63 4.6
Information that is wrong and shared by mistake
  • noun
  • /ˌmɪsɪnˈfɔːrmeɪʃən/
translation icon : 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.