Misstate: meaning, definitions and examples

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misstate

[ˌmɪsˈsteɪt ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

communication

To state or represent incorrectly; to make a mistake in conveying information.

Synonyms

distort, falsify, misrepresent.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
misstate	Use this when someone mentions something incorrectly but possibly without malicious intent. It's often a neutral term when someone makes an honest mistake. He misstated the facts during the meeting, but corrected himself later. The report misstated the total revenue for the quarter.
misrepresent	This term is often used in legal or formal settings when someone presents something in a misleading or incorrect way, usually with the intention to deceive. The lawyer argued that the evidence had been misrepresented. The advertisement misrepresented the effectiveness of the product, leading to customer complaints.
distort	This word is used when information is twisted or altered in a way that changes its original meaning. It often implies purposefully changing the truth. The media can sometimes distort the truth to create a more sensational story. Her comments were distorted to make it seem like she supported the proposal.
falsify	Use this word when someone intentionally alters information to deceive others. It carries a strong negative connotation and suggests deliberate dishonesty. He was caught trying to falsify his academic records. The accountant was fired for falsifying financial documents.

Examples of usage

She misstated the facts during the meeting.
The reporter misstated the politician's position on the issue.
He misstated the figures in his presentation.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

legal

To provide incorrect information intentionally or unintentionally in a legal context.

Synonyms

erroneously state, misreport.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
misstate	This is a duplicate; see the context and examples for 'misstate'.
misreport	Opt for 'misreport' when someone provides incorrect information, especially in journalism, media, or official reports. This often implies a more systemic or repetitive error. The news channel misreported the election results The financial data was misreported in the quarterly review
erroneously state	Choose 'erroneously state' when indicating that an error has been made in a statement. This term is quite formal and neutral in tone. The article erroneously stated the population of the city She erroneously stated that the meeting was at 2 PM instead of 3 PM

Word

Description / Examples

misstate

This is a duplicate; see the context and examples for 'misstate'.

misreport

Opt for 'misreport' when someone provides incorrect information, especially in journalism, media, or official reports. This often implies a more systemic or repetitive error.

The news channel misreported the election results
The financial data was misreported in the quarterly review

erroneously state

Choose 'erroneously state' when indicating that an error has been made in a statement. This term is quite formal and neutral in tone.

The article erroneously stated the population of the city
She erroneously stated that the meeting was at 2 PM instead of 3 PM

Examples of usage

The witness misstated the sequence of events in court.
The defendant misstated his income on the tax forms.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

communication

An incorrect statement or representation.

Synonyms

false statement, inaccuracy.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
misstate	Misstate is typically used when someone wants to say that information has been incorrectly stated, but not necessarily with negative intent. Often used in formal contexts such as legal or academic settings. He misstated the statistics during the presentation, which caused some confusion among the audience. The report misstated the number of attendees at the event.
false statement	False statement implies a statement that is not true, and it often carries a negative connotation, suggesting possible dishonesty or deceit. Commonly used in legal or official contexts. He made a false statement about his qualifications on the job application. The suspect was charged with providing a false statement to the police.
inaccuracy	Inaccuracy refers to a lack of correctness or precision. It is often used in less formal contexts to describe errors in data, records, information, and statements. There was an inaccuracy in the news report regarding the date of the event. She noticed several inaccuracies in the draft of the document.

Word

Description / Examples

misstate

Misstate is typically used when someone wants to say that information has been incorrectly stated, but not necessarily with negative intent. Often used in formal contexts such as legal or academic settings.

He misstated the statistics during the presentation, which caused some confusion among the audience.
The report misstated the number of attendees at the event.

false statement

False statement implies a statement that is not true, and it often carries a negative connotation, suggesting possible dishonesty or deceit. Commonly used in legal or official contexts.

He made a false statement about his qualifications on the job application.
The suspect was charged with providing a false statement to the police.

inaccuracy

Inaccuracy refers to a lack of correctness or precision. It is often used in less formal contexts to describe errors in data, records, information, and statements.

There was an inaccuracy in the news report regarding the date of the event.
She noticed several inaccuracies in the draft of the document.

Examples of usage

The misstatement in the report led to confusion.
He acknowledged his misstatement and apologized for the error.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from 'mis-', meaning wrong or badly, and 'state', meaning to express something verbally.
It first appeared in English in the early 1900s, reflecting a growing need for accurate communication in legal and formal contexts.

Communication

Misstatements can lead to misunderstandings, which is why clear communication is essential in everyday conversations.
In legal terms, a misstatement can have serious implications, potentially affecting the outcome of trials or contracts.

Psychology

Research shows that people often misstate information due to cognitive biases, like confirmation bias, where they emphasize facts that support their pre-existing beliefs.
The way information is presented can lead individuals to misstate facts without realizing it, often due to the influence of emotions.

Media and Pop Culture

Public figures often have to clarify misstatements in interviews, highlighting the importance of precise language in their communications.
In films and television, characters frequently misstate things for comedic effect, showing how humor can arise from misunderstandings.

Education

In academic settings, misstatements in essays or presentations can affect grades, underlining the need for careful proof-reading and validation of facts.
Teachers often encourage students to paraphrase information to avoid misstatements and reinforce understanding of the material.

Translations

Translations of the word "misstate" in other languages:

🇵🇹 afirmar incorretamente

🇮🇳 गलत बयान देना

🇩🇪 falsch angeben

🇮🇩 menyatakan salah

🇺🇦 неправильно стверджувати

🇵🇱 fałszywie oświadczyć

🇯🇵 誤って述べる

🇫🇷 mal déclarer

🇪🇸 afirmar incorrectamente

🇹🇷 yanlış beyan etmek

🇰🇷 잘못 말하다

🇸🇦 يصرح بشكل خاطئ

🇨🇿 nesprávně prohlásit

🇸🇰 nesprávne uviesť

🇨🇳 错误陈述

🇸🇮 napačno navesti

🇮🇸 ranglega lýsa

🇰🇿 қате мәлімдеу

🇬🇪 არასწორი განცხადება

🇦🇿 yanlış bəyan etmək

🇲🇽 afirmar incorrectamente