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Definitions

misdirect

[mis-di-rekt] / ˌmɪs dɪˈrɛkt /
VERB
mishandle
Synonyms
STRONGEST
botch bungle err flub fumble mistreat misuse muff
STRONG
abuse blow blunder confound goof harm misapply misconduct misgovern overlook pervert prostitute
WEAK
be incompetent be inefficient foul up goof up gum up maladminister mess up misemploy mismanager screw up
Antonyms
STRONGEST
do well succeed
STRONG
benefit fix help honor respect
VERB
mishandle/mismanage
Synonyms
WEAK
abuse be incompetent be inefficient blow blunder botch bungle confound err flub foul up fumble goof goof up gum up harm make a hash of make a mess of maladminister misapply misconduct misemploy misgovern mistreat misuse muff overlook pervert prostitute put foot in screw up shoot oneself in foot
Antonyms
WEAK
handle manage
VERB
misinform
Synonyms
STRONGEST
deceive misguide mislead
STRONG
lie misstate pervert prevaricate signify
WEAK
bait-and-switch cover up disinform double-talk doublespeak lead astray mousetrap put on put on an act put on false front put up a smokescreen string along wrong steer
Antonyms
STRONG
straighten
WEAK
inform tell all
VERB
mislead
Synonyms
STRONGEST
betray cheat deceive defraud delude dupe entice fool fudge hoodwink lie misguide misinform misrepresent tempt
STRONG
bait beguile bilk bluff bunk cozen enmesh ensnare entangle gull hoax hose inveigle juggle lure outwit overreach pervert rook scam seduce shaft snow trick victimize
WEAK
double-cross illude lead astray lead on pull wool over eyes put on rip off rope in take in
Antonyms
STRONGEST
be honest support
WEAK
advise counsel guard lead protect

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Suspecting Al-Nourji of trying to misdirect them, the police held him for questioning.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

We can’t afford to let the banks misdirect us again.

From Slate • Mar. 22, 2024

“Baylor’s focus of media attention on football tried to misdirect attention from institutional failures of the Baylor administration. Our clients would have none of that,” Dunn said.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 18, 2023

It could be an answer to a question or an intentional misdirect, or an expression on their face.

From Salon • Jan. 25, 2023

“Somehow we think it is funny to misdirect people and we don’t smile when we do it, but we laugh inwardly. It is our nature.”

From "Travels with Charley in Search of America" by John Steinbeck

Vocabulary lists containing misdirect

Florida's B.E.S.T. Common Prefixes: mis-

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