MISDIRECTION Synonyms: 47 Similar and Opposite Words

misdirection

noun

Definition of misdirection

as in mismanagement

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Example Sentences

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 Mannion’s initial installations of motions and misdirection plays have been effective from my vantage point in team drills — not red flags in need of refinement. — Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 2 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 Despite gridlocked traffic near the first two closure scenes in southwest Atlanta and some miscommunication and misdirection with trucks using side streets, Atlanta has braced itself handily so far. — Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 19 July 2026 Before settling in for a long chat with one of the most famous and beloved people on the planet, Colbert engaged in some clever misdirection. — Judy Berman, Time, 22 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for misdirection

Recent Examples of Synonyms for misdirection

Noun

While the department attributes the opacity around its procurement and distribution of its massive, $1 trillion budget to the sheer size of the agency and its responsibilities, the GAO has found evidence instead of pervasive money mismanagement.

— Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026
Article 158 concerns criminal mismanagement, sometimes described as breach of trust or disloyalty.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of mismanagement

Noun

Welch has described his mishandling of this matter as a systemic failure.

— David Greising, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
Hur, following his investigation into Biden’s alleged mishandling of classified documents, released a lengthy report in February 2024 that concluded no criminal charges were warranted against Biden.

— Antonio Pequeño IV, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026

Definition of mishandling

Noun

Flinn suggested a motion for Yeager to forfeit his seat, and council members subsequently requested City Attorney Scott Gerken look into a malfeasance ordinance for Yeager’s retaliatory comments.

— James Wilkins, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026
Internet sleuths, predictably, have seized on this ambiguity as proof of malfeasance.

— Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of malfeasance

Noun

Copyright, trade secrets, malpractice—none of it was written for this, and stretching it will only lead to unfair results.

— Hamid Kohan, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
That means our view of ourselves, in reality, also has no darkness—there can be no misidentification or malpractice of ourselves.

— The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of malpractice

Noun

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
In sports, mind-wandering is often seen as negative because inattention at a crucial moment can lead to disaster.

— Eric Zillmer, Scientific American, 26 June 2026

Definition of inattention

Noun

The fiscal irresponsibility and mismanagement of bankrupt Hawthorne Race Course President Tim Carey was the immediate cause of death.

— Neil Milbert, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026
The most probable path remains the baseline he’s been describing since last fall — debt grinding steadily higher, periodically goosed by crises or political irresponsibility, but partially offset by technological progress and labor force growth.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 28 May 2026

Definition of irresponsibility

Noun

Likewise, the fact that somebody correctly anticipated an announcement and made money does not by itself prove misconduct.

— Robert Rapier, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Illinois does not have independent watchdogs investigating fraud, waste, abuse, misconduct or neglect in state government, agencies or public programs.

— Collin Corbett, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of misconduct

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 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of misdirection

noun

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