misleading
gb/mɪslˈidɪŋ/ us/mɪslˈidɪŋ/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B2
property
1
Causing a wrong impression
If something is misleading, it makes people believe something that is not true or not complete.
Usage pattern:
[something] is misleading; misleading [information/claim/impression]
Common mistake:
Misleading does not always mean someone lied on purpose; it can also describe unclear, incomplete, or badly presented information.
Synonyms
deceptive (often suggests an intention to trick someone)
|
inaccurate (focuses on being factually wrong rather than creating an impression)
|
false (stronger; means not true)
|
confusing (focuses on being hard to understand, not necessarily false)
Antonyms
accurate (factually correct and not giving a wrong idea)
|
truthful (honest and true)
|
clear (easy to understand and not likely to cause confusion)
Collocations
misleading information
|misleading claim
|misleading impression
|misleading statement
|misleading headline
|misleading figures
|misleading data
|potentially misleading
|highly misleading
|seriously misleading
Themes
communication
|information
|media
|business
|law
Examples
- The chart is misleading because it leaves out last year's figures.
- The headline was technically true but highly misleading.
- Critics said the company's claims about the product were misleading.
Learner examples
- This map is misleading.
- The photo gave a misleading impression of the hotel.
Grammar
Dictionary form
misleading
IPA
GB/mɪslˈidɪŋ/
US/mɪslˈidɪŋ/
Syllables & stress
mis - lead - ing (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (lead)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: misleading
Expressions
false or misleading
1/fˈɔls ˈɔɹ mɪslˈidɪŋ/
fixed phrase
formal
Untrue or giving wrong impression
Used especially in official language to mean either untrue or likely to give the wrong idea.
Examples
- The company denied making any false or misleading statements to investors.
- Applicants must not provide false or misleading information on the form.
- The regulator said the label was false or misleading.
misleading advertising
1/mɪslˈidɪŋ ˈædvɚtˌaɪzɪŋ/
fixed phrase
business
Advertising that gives wrong impression
Ads that make customers believe something wrong about what is being sold.
Examples
- The airline was fined for misleading advertising about extra fees.
- Consumer groups complained that the promotion was misleading advertising.
- The rules are designed to protect shoppers from misleading advertising.