mislead

[ mis-leed ]

verb (used with object)

, mis·led, mis·lead·ing.

1. to lead or guide wrongly; lead astray.

   Synonyms: misdirect, misguide

2. to lead into error of conduct, thought, or judgment.

   Synonyms: deceive, delude

verb (used without object)

, mis·led, mis·lead·ing.

1. to be misleading; tend to deceive:

   vague directions that often mislead.

mislead

/ mɪsˈliːd /

verb

1. to give false or misleading information to
2. to lead or guide in the wrong direction

Derived Forms

• misˈleader, noun

Other Words From

• mis·leader noun
• unmis·led adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of mislead¹

before 1050; Middle English misleden, Old English mislǣdan. See mis- ¹, lead ¹

Example Sentences

The auditor says the agency has been manipulating her work and misleading the public.

From Voice of San Diego

He makes the same charge about a March 6, 2019, hearing — that she repeated the figure and misled lawmakers once more.

From Vox

Of course, politicians have always lied and misled the public.

From Vox

It concluded by making the following four statements, all of which are misleading or incorrect.

From Voice of San Diego

Co-founders Charles Buffin and Max Levine are accusing CEO Matthew Peltier of fraud, saying the executive misled them about the value of the company, leading Buffin and Levine to each sell 10% of their shares of the company back for $22,002.

From Fortune

If Uber did actually mislead its customers, it should certainly be held responsible.

From The Daily Beast

The marketing for the film was designed to intentionally mislead viewers into believing that it was based on a true story.

From The Daily Beast

In no way did the governor intend to mislead the sheriffs or anyone else.

From The Daily Beast

It might also mislead people about what problems are most pressing.

From The Daily Beast

“I am not trying to mislead the court, My Lady,” Dixon answered.

From The Daily Beast

By every art known to the wily Porter did he try to mislead his pursuers; but they hung on to his trail like grim death.

From Project Gutenberg

Rather striking is the tendency of old squamous cells to retain the red stain, and fragments of such cells may mislead the unwary.

From Project Gutenberg

When responsible papers wilfully mislead the public, what can be expected?

From Project Gutenberg

The statements concerning the composition of Uriseptin are false and appear to be a deliberate attempt to mislead physicians.

From Project Gutenberg

It can only mislead and mystify and the greater part of the literature is a mere jumble of inaccurate and mystifying statements.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• betray
• cheat
• deceive
• defraud
• delude
• dupe
• entice
• fool
• fudge
• hoodwink
• lie
• misguide
• misinform
• misrepresent
• tempt