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Misinforming: meaning, definitions and examples

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misinforming

 

[ˌmɪs.ɪnˈfɔːrmɪŋ ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

communication

To give false or misleading information to someone.

Synonyms

deceive, misguide, mislead.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
misinforming

This appears to be a duplicate entry from the first word, which looks like a mistake.
mislead

When someone causes others to believe something that is not true, potentially with some intent to deceive, but not always necessarily maliciously. It has a broader use and covers various levels of intent and deception.

  • The advertisement was accused of misleading consumers about the product's benefits
  • He didn't want to mislead his friends about his plans for the weekend
deceive

When someone intentionally tricks or fools others, often with malicious intent. It is generally used in serious situations involving betrayal or fraud.

  • He tried to deceive his customers by selling fake products
  • She felt deeply hurt when she discovered her friend had deceived her
misguide

When someone leads others in the wrong direction or gives poor advice, typically without malicious intent. It is often used in contexts such as mentorship, guidance, or leadership.

  • The new employee was misguided by his colleague's bad advice
  • Parents should be careful not to misguide their children with outdated information

Examples of usage

  • He was misinforming the public about the safety of the product.
  • The news outlet was accused of misinforming the viewers with inaccurate reports.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word is formed by adding the prefix 'mis-' (meaning wrong) to 'inform,' which originates from Latin 'informare,' meaning to shape or develop.
  • The concept dates back to at least the early 19th century, indicating a long awareness of the impact of sharing incorrect details.
  • The act can happen intentionally or accidentally, showing how language can spread both truth and falsehood.

Psychology

  • People are more likely to believe misinformation if it comes from a trusted source, highlighting the importance of validating information.
  • Cognitive biases, like the Dunning-Kruger effect, can make individuals overestimate their knowledge, leading to the spread of misleading information.
  • Research shows that once false information is accepted, it can be difficult to correct due to a phenomenon called the 'illusion of truth.'

Media Studies

  • The rise of social media has exponentially increased the potential for misinformation to spread quickly and widely.
  • Fact-checking organizations have become crucial in today’s information landscape to combat the spread of false narratives.
  • Studies indicate that misinformation can influence public opinion significantly during critical events like elections or crises.

Literature

  • In novels, characters often misshape the truth, leading to dramatic misunderstandings and conflicts—a popular theme in works like Shakespeare's plays.
  • Fiction often explores the consequences of misinformation, questioning the nature of truth and trust between characters.
  • Authors like George Orwell have examined the power of language and information manipulation in society, most famously seen in '1984.'

Education

  • Teaching critical thinking skills is essential to help students distinguish between fact and misinformation.
  • Educational programs focus on media literacy to help individuals analyze sources and identify reliable information.
  • Combating misinformation involves not just individual awareness but also partnerships between educators and technological platforms.

Translations

Translations of the word "misinforming" in other languages:

🇵🇹 desinformar

🇮🇳 ग़लत जानकारी देना

🇩🇪 Falsch informieren

🇮🇩 menyesatkan

🇺🇦 дезінформувати

🇵🇱 dezinformować

🇯🇵 誤報する

🇫🇷 désinformer

🇪🇸 desinformar

🇹🇷 yanlış bilgilendirmek

🇰🇷 잘못된 정보를 주다

🇸🇦 تضليل

🇨🇿 dezinformovat

🇸🇰 dezinformovať

🇨🇳 误导

🇸🇮 dezinformirati

🇮🇸 afveita

🇰🇿 дезинформация тарату

🇬🇪 დეზინფორმაცია

🇦🇿 yanlış məlumat vermək

🇲🇽 desinformar

Word Frequency Rank

At position #40,964, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.