Misrepresent: meaning, definitions and examples

Used when someone gives a false or misleading account of something, often intentionally.

• The company was accused of misrepresenting its financial status to investors.
• The politician's campaign ad misrepresented his opponent's record.

Used when something is twisted out of its original shape or meaning, typically in a way that misleads or confuses.

• The funhouse mirrors distort the image of anyone who stands in front of them.
• The journalist was criticized for distorting the facts in the article.

Used when someone deliberately makes something false or changes something to deceive others. This often has a legal or formal implication.

• He was caught trying to falsify the documents to get a loan.
• The student was expelled for falsifying his academic records.

Used when someone incorrectly states something, which could be either deliberate or accidental. This term is often associated with formal settings like legal or financial contexts.

• The report misstates the number of employees in the organization.
• He misstated the terms of the contract during the meeting.

Used when someone deliberately changes the meaning or intention of words or facts, often for their own benefit.

• She tries to twist my words to make it seem like I agree with her.
• The lawyer twisted the witness's testimony to support his case.