misinform
C1Formal, official, journalistic, academic
Definition
Meaning
to give false or incorrect information to someone
To deliberately or accidentally cause someone to have a wrong understanding by providing them with inaccurate facts, data, or details. It implies an act of communication that results in a mistaken belief.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The focus is on the act of *giving* the wrong information, not necessarily the intent (which could be deliberate or inadvertent). The result is that the recipient is *misinformed*. Often used in passive voice.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling is identical. It is used with comparable frequency in both varieties.
Connotations
In both varieties, it can imply negligence or deliberate deception, but context determines the strength of this connotation. In legal or political contexts, it strongly suggests culpability.
Frequency
Slightly more common in formal writing than in casual speech in both varieties. The noun 'misinformation' is currently more frequent in public discourse.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] misinform [Object] (about/on [Topic])[Subject] misinform [Object] that [Clause]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[none directly; related to the concept of 'being fed misinformation']”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in contexts of compliance, PR crises, or investor relations, e.g., 'The company was accused of misinforming shareholders about the merger risks.'
Academic
Used in research ethics or media studies, e.g., 'The study examines how governments can misinform populations during conflicts.'
Everyday
Used when discussing rumours, incorrect directions, or flawed advice, e.g., 'I'm sorry I misinformed you about the train times.'
Technical
Used in legal, journalistic, or data integrity fields, e.g., 'A clause prohibiting either party from materially misinforming the other.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The leaflet unintentionally misinformed residents about the recycling rules.
- He threatened to sue the paper for misinforming the public.
American English
- The campaign ad clearly misinforms voters about the opponent's record.
- I don't want to misinform you, so let me check those figures again.
adverb
British English
- The report was misinformedly cited in the debate. (rare, awkward)
- [No common adverb form; 'misleadingly' is preferred]
American English
- [No standard adverb form for 'misinform'; 'incorrectly' or 'misleadingly' are used instead]
adjective
British English
- A misinformed electorate is a danger to democracy. (participle adjective)
- He acted on misinformed advice.
American English
- The article is based on misinformed assumptions. (participle adjective)
- She was misinformed about the deadline.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Please don't misinform me. Tell me the truth.
- The website misinformed me. The shop is closed.
- I think the tourist guide misinformed us about the museum's opening hours.
- It is easy to misinform people if you don't check your facts.
- The government was accused of misinifying the public about the severity of the economic crisis.
- Journalists have a responsibility not to misinform their audience, even by accident.
- The witness later admitted that he had been misinformed by his own solicitor prior to giving testimony.
- Lobby groups often misinform policymakers by presenting skewed data as objective fact.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: MIS + INFORM. You give an INFORMation that is wrong or MISSing the mark.
Conceptual Metaphor
INFORMATION IS NOURISHMENT/FUEL (to be fed misinformation, to fuel false beliefs)
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'дезинформировать' which is closer to 'disinform' (always deliberate). 'Misinform' can be accidental.
- Avoid calquing as 'плохо информировать'. Use 'вводить в заблуждение (давая неверную информацию)'.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing 'misinform' (verb, act of giving bad info) with 'misinformation' (noun, the bad info itself).
- Using it interchangeably with 'disinform' (which is specifically deliberate).
- Incorrect preposition: 'misinform someone on/about something', not 'for something'.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following sentences uses 'misinform' most accurately?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Misinform' can be deliberate or accidental; it means to give wrong information. 'Disinform' is always deliberate and implies a coordinated intent to deceive, often by spreading false information.
Yes, but it's more common in formal or serious contexts. In casual speech, people might say 'gave me the wrong info' or 'got it wrong'.
Yes, the past participle 'misinformed' is commonly used as an adjective, meaning 'having wrong information' (e.g., a misinformed opinion).
The most direct noun is 'misinformation' (uncountable), meaning false or inaccurate information. The act itself can be called 'misinforming'.