misidentify

[ mis-ahy-den-tuh-fahy, -i-den- ]

verb (used with object)

, mis·i·den·ti·fied, mis·i·den·ti·fy·ing.

1. to identify incorrectly.

Other Words From

• misi·denti·fi·cation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of misidentify¹

First recorded in 1890–95; mis- ¹ + identify

Example Sentences

Along the way, products can be misidentified as another species or intentionally renamed to make more profit.

From Salon

Maybe he was wounded, misidentified, forgetful of who he was.

From Los Angeles Times

If the blood sample drive produces results, some bereaved families may finally be able to bury the misidentified remains of their relatives.

From BBC

It told me a vase of white peonies in my bedroom contained yellow chrysanthemums, and confidently misidentified a plate of poppadoms as tortilla chips.

From BBC

Correction: An earlier version of this story misidentified the group All Together for Seattle Schools.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• amaze
• astonish
• astound
• baffle
• bewilder
• discombobulate
• dumbfound
• embarrass
• faze
• mystify
• perplex
• puzzle
• rattle
• startle
• surprise