misinformation
gb/mˌɪsɪnfɚmˈeɪʃən/ us/mˌɪsɪnfɚmˈeɪʃən/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
abstract
1
false or inaccurate information
wrong information that people believe or share as true
Usage pattern:
misinformation about/on [something]; misinformation from [source]; spread/share misinformation
Common mistake:
Misinformation usually means wrong information, not missing information. Disinformation specifically suggests a deliberate attempt to deceive.
Synonyms
false information (plain and direct; emphasizes that the information is not true)
|
incorrect information (neutral; often less connected to public spread or harm)
|
misleading information (may be partly true but gives the wrong impression)
|
disinformation (usually means false information spread deliberately to deceive)
Antonyms
accurate information (information that is correct and factual)
|
reliable information (information that can be trusted)
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facts (true details or evidence, contrasted with false claims)
Collocations
spread misinformation
|share misinformation
|online misinformation
|health misinformation
|election misinformation
|misinformation about vaccines
|source of misinformation
|combat misinformation
|correct misinformation
|misinformation spreads
Themes
communication
|media
|internet
|politics
|public_health
Examples
- The post was removed because it contained misinformation about the vaccine.
- Officials warned that misinformation was spreading quickly after the storm.
- Some rumors came from simple mistakes, so they were misinformation rather than a planned attempt to deceive.
Learner examples
- Don't share misinformation online.
- The article had a lot of misinformation about health.
Grammar
Dictionary form
misinformation
IPA
GB/mˌɪsɪnfɚmˈeɪʃən/
US/mˌɪsɪnfɚmˈeɪʃən/
Syllables & stress
mis - in - form - a - tion (5 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (form)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: misinformation
- Plural: misinformation
Expressions
combat misinformation
1/kˈɑmbæt mˌɪsɪnfɚmˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
fight false information
to fight wrong information by stopping it or giving true information
Examples
- Public health agencies used short videos to combat misinformation about vaccines.
- Schools are teaching media literacy to combat misinformation.
- The platform introduced new labels to combat misinformation during the crisis.
correct misinformation
1/kɚˈɛkt mˌɪsɪnfɚmˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
fix false information
to tell people the true information after wrong information has been shared
Examples
- The doctor wrote a short thread to correct misinformation about the treatment.
- Journalists have a responsibility to correct misinformation quickly.
- The school sent parents an email to correct misinformation about the new policy.
election misinformation
1/ɪlˈɛkʃən mˌɪsɪnfɚmˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
false election information
wrong information about an election or voting
Examples
- Officials set up a hotline to respond to election misinformation about polling places.
- False claims about ballot deadlines are a common form of election misinformation.
- The report examined how election misinformation spread across social media.
health misinformation
1/hˈɛlθ mˌɪsɪnfɚmˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
false health information
wrong information about health or medicine
Examples
- Health misinformation can lead people to delay treatment.
- The clinic published answers to common questions to reduce health misinformation.
- Social media companies were criticized for allowing health misinformation to spread.
misinformation and disinformation
1/mˌɪsɪnfɚmˈeɪʃən ˈænd dɪzˌɪnfɚmˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
false information category
wrong information, including both mistakes and lies shared on purpose
Examples
- The course teaches students how to recognize misinformation and disinformation online.
- Public health agencies struggled to respond to misinformation and disinformation during the outbreak.
- The report distinguishes between misinformation and disinformation.
misinformation and disinformation
1/mˌɪsɪnfɚmˈeɪʃən ˈænd dɪzˌɪnfɚmˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
false information by intent
wrong information and deliberately false information considered together
Examples
- The report looks at misinformation and disinformation on social media.
- Teachers discussed how to recognize misinformation and disinformation before sharing a story.
- The new policy addresses misinformation and disinformation during public emergencies.
misinformation campaign
1/mˌɪsɪnfɚmˈeɪʃən kæmpˈeɪn/
fixed phrase
organized false-information effort
an organized plan to make many people believe wrong information
Examples
- Investigators linked the accounts to a misinformation campaign during the election.
- The company said it was the target of a misinformation campaign about its safety record.
- A coordinated misinformation campaign tried to undermine confidence in the results.
online misinformation
1/ˈɔnlˌaɪn mˌɪsɪnfɚmˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
false information online
wrong information on the internet
Examples
- Online misinformation spread rapidly after the earthquake.
- Researchers studied how online misinformation affects people's trust in science.
- The guide teaches students how to spot online misinformation.
spread misinformation
1/spɹˈɛd mˌɪsɪnfɚmˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
circulate false information
to share wrong information so that more people see or hear it
Examples
- The video spread misinformation about how the disease is transmitted.
- A single misleading graph can spread misinformation to thousands of readers.
- Experts asked users not to spread misinformation during the emergency.