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Disinformation: meaning, definitions and examples

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disinformation

 

[ dɪsˌɪnfərˈmeɪʃən ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

information warfare

False information deliberately and often covertly spread (as by the planting of rumors) in order to influence public opinion or obscure the truth.

Synonyms

fake news, misinformation, propaganda

Examples of usage

  • Disinformation campaigns are often used by governments to manipulate public perception.
  • The spread of disinformation can have serious consequences on society.

Translations

Translations of the word "disinformation" in other languages:

🇵🇹 desinformação

🇮🇳 भ्रामक जानकारी

🇩🇪 Desinformation

🇮🇩 disinformasi

🇺🇦 дезінформація

🇵🇱 dezinformacja

🇯🇵 偽情報

🇫🇷 désinformation

🇪🇸 desinformación

🇹🇷 yanlış bilgi

🇰🇷 허위 정보

🇸🇦 معلومات مضللة

🇨🇿 dezinformace

🇸🇰 dezinformácia

🇨🇳 虚假信息

🇸🇮 dezinformacija

🇮🇸 rangupplýsingar

🇰🇿 дезинформация

🇬🇪 დეზინფორმაცია

🇦🇿 dezinformasiya

🇲🇽 desinformación

Etymology

The term 'disinformation' originated from the Russian word дезинформация (dezinformatsiya), which was used by the Soviet Union during the Cold War to refer to false information spread to deceive Western intelligence agencies. Disinformation has since become a widely recognized concept in the realm of information warfare and has been increasingly prevalent in the age of social media.

See also: inform, informality, informally, informant, informatics, information, informative, informed, informer, informers, informing, misinform, misinformation, misinformed, misinforming, uninformed.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #31,432 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.