MISDIRECTION Synonyms: 47 Similar and Opposite Words

misdirection

noun

Definition of misdirection

as in mismanagement

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of misdirection The switcheroo trend is one more lighthearted example of internet prank culture, with successful clips in the genre using comically obvious edits to highlight the misdirection and avoid any real danger of defamation. — David MacK, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026 Writer-director Steven Conrad employs a fair bit of misdirection, pointing our suspicions first to Clark and then to Carol. — Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2026 Its architecture, much like its previous owners, has a penchant for misdirection. — Natalie Hoberman, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026 But the more sinister aspects ultimately turn out to be deliberate misdirection in this tale of two men who find each other in the remote Faroe Islands of the mid-19th century. — Dennis Harvey, Variety, 26 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for misdirection

Recent Examples of Synonyms for misdirection

Noun

Mujtaba Rahman, managing director for Europe at Eurasia Group, said France is suffering from a crisis of liberal democracy, a crisis of fiscal mismanagement, and a crisis of youth disaffection.

— Jason Ma, Fortune, 19 Oct. 2026
Previous Ebola outbreaks were marked by allegations of corruption and mismanagement of funds, which experts said have contributed to the mistrust of local communities, complicating the efforts to halt the spread.

— Monika Pronczuk, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of mismanagement

Noun

Four years before that, the governor ordered an independent review into capital punishment after abruptly stopping the April 2022 execution of Oscar Smith in the 11th hour when officials became aware of a mishandling of the drugs.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026
The bill was ushered through the state General Assembly after the discovery of extensive mishandling of bodies at a Carlinville funeral home, where at least 80 families were given the wrong remains.

— Casey Toner, CBS News, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of mishandling

Noun

The rift between these tribes was on full display last month as the main opponent of the constitutional question claimed election malfeasance by proponents of A-83.

— Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 15 Oct. 2026
Earlier this year, a grand jury handed down a 30-count indictment against then-Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson, for malfeasance, obstruction of justice and falsifying public records.

— ABC News, ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of malfeasance

Noun

If anything, each new development raises further questions about whether medical malpractice occurred.

— Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026
She has never been investigated for malpractice or been sanctioned by the medical board, the records showed.

— Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of malpractice

Noun

Launched as Victoria’s Secret’s younger sister in 2002, the brand always targeted the college crowd, but suffered from inattention as its parent company struggled.

— Evan Clark, Footwear News, 18 Oct. 2026
Washington’s preoccupation with its own domestic politics, inattention to the region’s nuances, and inflated fears of Chinese and Russian advances all made the United States an easy mark for manipulative local powers.

— MARC LYNCH, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of inattention

Noun

On a political level, Shelley’s monster pandemic served as a warning of what horrifying fates might await the whole of humanity if conflict and irresponsibility were left unchecked worldwide.

— Eileen Hunt, Fortune, 28 Sep. 2026
This tradition viewed progressive nationalism as using promises of reform and demagogic tirades against scapegoats abroad to distract from their own corruption and irresponsibility.

— Andre Pagliarini, The Conversation, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of irresponsibility

Noun

Davis argued that Slotkin described targeting junior personnel and young professionals to discourage them from serving, rather than solely to pursue justice for alleged misconduct.

— Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 22 Oct. 2026
Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner earlier in October said that Lewis was acquitted in a previous murder case, blaming police misconduct for the outcome.

— Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of misconduct

Noun

The woman’s vanity and the husband’s forgetfulness collide to sow chaos and discord in the house.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2026
Occasional forgetfulness—like misplacing items or struggling to recall a word—is a normal part of aging, especially if the information eventually comes back.

— Danielle Zickl, HEALTH, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of forgetfulness

Browse Nearby Words

misdirected

misdirection

misdoer

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Style

“Misdirection.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misdirection. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of misdirection

noun

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