misrepresent

verb

mis·​rep·​re·​sent (ˌ)mis-ˌre-pri-ˈzent How to pronounce misrepresent (audio)
misrepresented; misrepresenting; misrepresents
Synonyms of misrepresentnext

transitive verb

1
: to give a false or misleading representation of usually with an intent to deceive or be unfair
misrepresented the facts
2
: to serve badly or improperly as a representative of
misrepresentation
(ˌ)mis-ˌre-pri-ˌzen-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce misrepresent (audio)
-zən-
noun
misrepresentative
(ˌ)mis-ˌre-pri-ˈzen-tə-tiv How to pronounce misrepresent (audio)
adjective

Synonyms of misrepresent

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Examples of misrepresent in a Sentence

The company is accused of misrepresenting its earnings. The movie deliberately misrepresents the facts about her life.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Meta this week agreed to pay almost $17 billion in a landmark settlement with a coalition of state AGs that had sued the company for misrepresenting the extent of child mental health damage caused by Facebook and Instagram. — Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 30 Aug. 2026 Bonta, in a statement, accused Paramount of leaking and misrepresenting information the two sides had discussed during a preliminary session Friday. — Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026 The two sides had been due to meet Monday for preliminary discussions for a possible settlement, but Bonta called off the meeting late Sunday, after accusing Paramount of misrepresenting details of an earlier meeting held on Friday. — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 24 Aug. 2026 The specialists who wrote to the university, all of whom have published research, said misrepresenting methodology is a breach of scientific integrity. — Amy Yurkanin, ProPublica, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for misrepresent

Word History

First Known Use

1649, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of misrepresent was in 1649

Rhymes for misrepresent

See All Rhymes for misrepresent

Browse Nearby Words

misreport
misrepresent
misrepresentative
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Misrepresent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/misrepresent. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

misrepresent

verb
mis·​rep·​re·​sent (ˌ)mis-ˌrep-ri-ˈzent How to pronounce misrepresent (audio)
: to give a false or misleading idea of
misrepresentation
(ˌ)mis-ˌrep-ri-ˌzen-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce misrepresent (audio)
noun

Legal Definition

misrepresent

transitive verb
mis·​rep·​re·​sent mis-ˌre-pri-ˈzent How to pronounce misrepresent (audio)
: to make a misrepresentation about

intransitive verb

: to make a misrepresentation
misrepresentative
-ˌre-pri-ˈzen-tə-tiv How to pronounce misrepresent (audio)
adjective
misrepresenter noun
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