Misled Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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misled
[mɪsˈlɛd ]
Definitions
deceive
To lead or guide someone to believe something that is not true; to deceive or trick.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| misled |
To describe a situation where someone has been guided incorrectly or has formed a wrong belief due to someone else's actions or misinformation without necessarily intending harm.
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| deceive |
Used when someone is intentionally trying to make others believe something that is not true, often with a negative intention.
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| trick |
Used to describe a situation where someone is fooled or deceived, usually in a playful or humorous way, but can also refer to more serious deceit.
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| delude |
To describe a situation where someone is made to believe something that is not true, often involving self-deception or when someone believes something despite evidence to the contrary.
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Examples of usage
- He misled me into thinking he was telling the truth.
- Don't be misled by false promises.
incorrect direction
To lead or guide someone in the wrong direction or to a mistaken conclusion.
Synonyms
confuse, misdirect, misinform.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| misled |
Used when someone has been given false information or led to believe something that is not true. Often implies a sense of trust being broken.
|
| misdirect |
Used when something or someone is wrongly directed or given wrong guidance. Can also apply in a metaphorical sense, meaning to divert from the correct path.
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| confuse |
Applies when there is a state of uncertainty or a lack of clarity. Often used when talking about feelings, thoughts, or instructions.
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| misinform |
Used when someone is given incorrect or false information, often unintentionally. Unlike 'misled,' it may not carry a sense of broken trust or deception.
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Examples of usage
- The map misled us and we got lost.
- Her false information misled the investigation.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Psychology
- People can be misled by false information, which is often due to cognitive biases like the confirmation bias, where we favor information that confirms our own beliefs.
- The 'illusion of truth' effect shows that repeated misinformation can lead individuals to believe false statements as true.
- Trust plays a significant role; when people trust the source, they are more likely to be misled by inaccurate information.
Legal Implications
- In legal terms, being misled can have serious consequences, especially in contracts where one party may claim they were misled to gain an unfair advantage.
- Consumer protection laws often address instances where companies mislead customers, emphasizing honesty in advertising.
- Legal cases often revolve around claims of misrepresentation, where a party has been misled into an agreement based on false information.
Literature
- In classic literature, characters often face dilemmas that stem from being misled by others, either intentionally or through misunderstanding.
- In contemporary novels, themes of deception show how characters mislead one another, which often leads to conflict and resolution.
- The motif of being misled appears frequently in mystery and thriller genres, where the pursuit of truth reveals layers of deception.
Pop Culture
- The concept of being misled is a common theme in films and television, often portrayed through plot twists where a character discovers they were deceived.
- Various music lyrics explore feelings associated with being misled in romantic relationships, capturing the emotional impact of deception.
- Social media influences can also mislead people, where curated images and stories may present an unrealistic view of life, highlighting societal pressures.
Origin of 'misled'
Main points about word origin
- The word 'misled' comes from the Old English 'misledan', where 'mis-' means wrong or not, and 'ledan' means to lead.
- It has been in use since the late 14th century, originally referring to misleading someone in a physical sense, like a journey.
- In modern usage, it has evolved to encompass emotional and intellectual deception as well.
The word 'misled' originated from Middle English 'misleden', which means 'to lead astray'. It has been used in the English language since the 15th century. Over time, the word has evolved to represent the act of deceiving or leading someone in the wrong direction.
See also: misleadingly.