misadvise: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal
Quick answer
What does “misadvise” mean?
To give bad or incorrect advice to someone.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To give bad or incorrect advice to someone.
To counsel or recommend an unwise, imprudent, or erroneous course of action, potentially leading to detrimental consequences for the advisee.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The verb form 'misadvise' is the standard in both varieties. The related noun is typically 'misadvice' (AmE) or 'misadvice'/'bad advice' (BrE). The past participle 'misadvised' is used adjectivally in both.
Connotations
Implies professional or authoritative failure (e.g., legal, financial, medical advice). It is not used for casual, everyday suggestions gone wrong.
Frequency
More common in written, formal, or legal contexts than in everyday speech in both varieties. 'Give bad advice' is the dominant everyday phrasing.
Grammar
How to Use “misadvise” in a Sentence
misadvise + OBJECT (He misadvised the client.)misadvise + OBJECT + on/about + TOPIC (They misadvised us on tax strategy.)PASSIVE: be misadvised + to-INFINITIVE (I was misadvised to sell the shares.)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “misadvise” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The solicitor was found to have misadvised his client on the terms of the contract.
- I fear the report may misadvise the committee on the correct procedure.
American English
- The financial advisor misadvised hundreds of clients, leading to massive losses.
- If you misadvise the court on this matter, there will be consequences.
adverb
British English
- This clause was misadvisedly included in the agreement. (Rare)
- He acted misadvisedly, trusting the flawed data. (Rare)
American English
- The company misadvisedly pursued the merger despite clear warnings. (Rare)
- They invested misadvisedly in the volatile market. (Rare)
adjective
British English
- The misadvised decision led to a costly tribunal hearing.
- He was a misadvised youth, following poor counsel.
American English
- She took misadvised action based on her broker's erroneous guidance.
- The misadvised policy was quickly reversed.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in contexts of financial or strategic consultancy failures (e.g., 'The firm was sued after misadvising investors.').
Academic
Rare; may appear in historical or ethical analyses of counsel (e.g., 'The philosopher's disciples claimed he was misadvised by his peers.').
Everyday
Extremely rare in casual conversation; 'give bad advice' is used instead.
Technical
Found in legal and professional disciplinary language regarding malpractice or breach of duty of care.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “misadvise”
- Using it for minor, informal advice (e.g., 'He misadvised me on which film to see').
- Confusing it with 'misinform' (which is about facts, not recommendations).
- Spelling as 'missadvise'.
- Overusing the verb; the adjective 'ill-advised' is more common.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a low-frequency, formal word. The phrase 'give bad advice' is far more common in everyday English.
The direct noun is 'misadvice', but it is quite rare. People more commonly say 'bad advice' or 'poor advice'. The state of being misadvised can be referred to as 'misguidance'.
Yes, this is one of its primary contexts. It appears in cases of professional negligence, malpractice, or breach of fiduciary duty where an adviser fails in their duty of care.
'Misadvise' is specifically about giving poor counsel or recommendations for future action. 'Misinform' is about providing incorrect factual information, regardless of any advice given.
To give bad or incorrect advice to someone.
Misadvise is usually formal in register.
Misadvise: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmɪs.ədˈvaɪz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmɪs.ədˈvaɪz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly associated; related to the concept of 'ill-advised' actions.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'MIS' (wrong) + 'ADVISE' (counsel) = to counsel wrongly.
Conceptual Metaphor
GUIDANCE AS A PATH (To misadvise is to provide a faulty map, leading someone down the wrong path.)
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'misadvise' MOST appropriately used?