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Definitions

misnomer

[mis-noh-mer] / mɪsˈnoʊ mər /
NOUN
wrong term, inappropriate name
Synonyms
STRONGEST
inaccurate term inappropriate name mischaracterization misdesignation misidentification misleading name misleading term
STRONG
catachresis erroneous term malapropism misappellation misapplied name misclassification misusage wrong term
Antonyms
STRONG
accurate term appropriate name apt term correct term felicitous name perfect name precise term suitable name


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.

See Examples For:

Colin Clark, the director of the Soufan Center, a nonprofit that focuses on foreign policy and terrorism, pointed out in an interview with PBS that the term “narco-terrorism” is a misnomer.

From Salon ● Jul. 12, 2026

Rattlesnake season is a misnomer in California because they’re active year-round, experts say.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 7, 2026

Calling Vanguard Wellington a 60/40 fund is inevitable, but also something of a misnomer.

From Barron's ● Apr. 3, 2026

As Mr. Barksdale said to me, “Mississippi miracle” is a misnomer because it suggests that test scores improved overnight.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 21, 2026

Though a misnomer, his nickname proved to be the one enduring thing about Pollard’s ring career.

From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand

To promote the university’s core mission, the school must clarify its role on campus and challenge misnomers.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 17, 2026

Fire departments operated and financed by local governments increasingly have become misnomers.

From Washington Times ● Apr. 19, 2021

Then it came out with a stronger denial, maintaining that the curators were there simply to prevent duplicates and misnomers among the trending topics.

From Slate ● May 17, 2016

“There’s been a lot of misnomers about these craft as covert spy tools. ‘Drone’ has become a negative term.

From The Guardian ● Oct. 1, 2014

After it was drafted, Laura typed it up while Yoyo stood by, correcting her mother's misnomers and mis-sayings.

From "How the García Girls Lost Their Accents" by Julia Alvarez



Vocabulary lists containing misnomer


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