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Showing results for misleading. Search instead for miswording.
Synonyms

misleading

American  
[mis-lee-ding] / mɪsˈli dɪŋ /

adjective

  1. deceptive; tending to mislead.

misleading British  
/ mɪsˈliːdɪŋ /

adjective

  1. tending to confuse or mislead; deceptive

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • misleadingly adverb
  • misleadingness noun

Etymology

Origin of misleading

First recorded in 1630–40; mislead + -ing 2

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“You know, we’ll be tormented by it for a long time. I will be, and I want to say I’m sorry for misleading people. It was not intentional, and that’s all I’ll say.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2026

Italy’s competition watchdog launched an investigation into Booking.com for potentially misleading users about accommodation value.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 22, 2026

However, appearances in the quantum world can be misleading.

From Science Daily • Apr. 22, 2026

He had previously told the Commons due process had been followed and has been accused of misleading Parliament.

From BBC • Apr. 19, 2026

“But you have been misleading me, young woman!” said Xenophilius, now sitting up much straighter in his chair and goggling at Hermione.

From "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" by J.K. Rowling

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.