red herring

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.

In the case of the drone story, I was naturally thinking of rival news outlets that keep dangling the alien-visitation red herring in front of their readers because it generates clicks.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026

Hard, however, because the claim is a red herring.

From Slate • May 26, 2026

Filip explained how the damage initially sent him off on a red herring.

From BBC • May 25, 2026

“The childish scribbling handwriting is also a red herring for some of the more serious and sinister themes in the book, “ says Cash.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 16, 2026

President Truman called the trial a "red herring," and Secretary of State Dean Acheson declared, "I do not intend to turn my back on Alger Hiss."

From "Spies: The Secret Showdown Between America and Russia" by Marc Favreau