Mislead Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
๐ซ
mislead
[mษชsหliหd ]
Definitions
deceive
To cause (someone) to have a wrong idea or impression about someone or something.
Synonyms
deceive, delude, misinform, trick.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| mislead |
Used when someone is given incorrect understanding or impression about something, often unintentionally.
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| deceive |
Used in situations where someone deliberately lies or hides the truth to gain an advantage.
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| trick |
Used when someone is made to believe something false or engage in actions through cleverness or deceit, often playful or malicious.
|
| delude |
Used when someone is led to believe something that is not true, often implying self-deception or strong false beliefs.
|
| misinform |
Used when incorrect or false information is provided, which can be intentional or unintentional.
|
Examples of usage
- The company deliberately misled customers about the safety of its products.
- The politician was accused of misleading the public with false information.
lead astray
To lead or guide (someone) in the wrong direction.
Synonyms
confuse, lead astray, misdirect, misguide.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| mislead |
Commonly used when someone is given false or inaccurate information intentionally to cause them to believe something untrue.
|
| lead astray |
Typically used to describe a situation where someone is guided away from the right or moral path, often intentionally. This phrase carries a negative connotation.
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| misguide |
Utilized when someone is given poor advice or instruction leading to wrong actions or decisions, typically implying a lack of proper judgment rather than ill intentions.
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| misdirect |
Used when someone is given wrong directions or guidance, causing them to end up in the wrong place or situation, often unintentionally.
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| confuse |
Often used when someone is perplexed or unable to understand something properly. It may or may not be intentional.
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Examples of usage
- The false sign misled hikers and caused them to get lost in the forest.
- Don't let your emotions mislead you into making a wrong decision.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Psychology
- Cognitive biases often contribute to misinterpretation of information, leading people to be misled without their awareness.
- People are more likely to be misled when they are under stress or when they trust the source of the information too much.
- Research indicates that once someone has been misled, it can be challenging for them to recognize the correction due to cognitive dissonance.
Literature
- Many classic novels explore themes of deception and misleading appearances, such as 'Pride and Prejudice' where characters are often misled by initial judgments.
- In Shakespeare's works, characters frequently mislead one another, exemplifying misunderstandings and manipulation as central plot devices.
- Fables often use animals misleading each other to teach moral lessons about trust and honesty.
Pop Culture
- Movies like 'The Prestige' showcase themes of misdirection where characters mislead each other to create illusions.
- Magicians use misdirection as a technique to mislead audiences, keeping them focused on one thing while another action occurs.
- Social media can be a breeding ground for misinformation, with many users being misled by sensational headlines and fake news.
History
- Throughout history, propaganda has been used to mislead citizens during wars, convincing them of untruths for specific purposes.
- Famous historical figures, including politicians and leaders, have been known to mislead the public through speeches and promises that were eventually proved false.
- Misleading maps and illustrations were often used in colonial contexts to misrepresent territories and manipulate claims.
Origin of 'mislead'
Main points about word origin
- The word 'mislead' comes from the combination of the prefix 'mis-' meaning wrong and 'lead,' meaning to guide.
- It first appeared in the English language during the 15th century, reflecting a time when misleading statements became more common in politics and literature.
- Earlier forms of 'lead' can be traced back to Old English 'lรฆdan,' which means to bring or to lead.
The word 'mislead' originated from the combination of 'mis-' meaning 'wrongly' and 'lead', ultimately tracing back to the Old English word 'lรฆdan' meaning 'to guide' or 'to conduct'. Over time, 'mislead' evolved to represent the act of leading someone in a wrong direction or causing them to have a false impression.
See also: lead, leaders, leadership, leading, leads, leadwort, misleader, misleading.