misdirect

verb

mis·​di·​rect ˌmis-də-ˈrekt How to pronounce misdirect (audio)
-(ˌ)dī-
misdirected; misdirecting; misdirects

transitive verb

1
: to give a wrong direction to
2
: to direct wrongly
misdirected their energies

Examples of misdirect in a Sentence

Their mail was misdirected to our address. If he tells you he's not interested, he's trying to misdirect you.
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.
President Donald Trump loves being a disruptor, but his wrecking ball is mostly misdirected: tariff wars with Canada and Mexico, withdrawing from the World Health Organization, sneers at allies and cancelling USAID—these and similar actions are bad for Americans and terrible for the world. David Faris, Newsweek, 3 Feb. 2025 Still more wonder if those sharing information are merely trying to misdirect others. Chris Kenning, USA TODAY, 2 Jan. 2025 Giveaway Entities are not responsible for lost, misdirected, illegible, damaged or undelivered Entries. USA TODAY, 22 Jan. 2025 According to Treasury’s Bureau of the Fiscal Service, paper refund checks are 16 times more likely to have an issue, like the check being lost, misdirected, stolen or uncashed. Medora Lee, USA TODAY, 10 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for misdirect 

Word History

First Known Use

1603, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of misdirect was in 1603

Dictionary Entries Near misdirect

Cite this Entry

“Misdirect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/misdirect. Accessed 8 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

misdirect

verb
mis·​di·​rect ˌmis-də-ˈrekt How to pronounce misdirect (audio)
-(ˌ)dī-
: to direct incorrectly
misdirection
-ˈrek-shən
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on misdirect

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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