misinformed

USAGE SUMMARY

'misinformed' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is used to describe someone who has been given inaccurate or false information. Example sentence: The public had been misinformed about the new government policies.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is deliberate misinformation.Why are we being misinformed?There are interest groups who lobby, but also we should not underestimate the lack of knowledge about evidence in medicine.

The Economist

He turned out to be misinformed: he got 12 months in prison.

The Guardian - Opinion

Will others follow her?" In a letter to her fellow signatories published in full by the writer Ophelia Benson on Free Thought Blogs, Epstein wrote that she was "misinformed and (quite frankly) wrong" when she made her decision to add her name to the list.

The Guardian - Books

Some populations are misinformed; at this stage it's their loss rather than ours.

The Guardian - Tech

In a recent cringe worthy interview on Sky News, Murdoch showed just how personally misinformed on climate change he actually is.

The Guardian

But I think it's worth pointing out that relying on a body that is generally disdained and answerable to an uninformed and often misinformed public seems like the worst way to go about fixing a complicated problem.

The Economist

He has since named one commission to scrutinise the IOR and another to look at the overall management of the Vatican's finances.Now many wonder if Francis was set up perhaps deliberately misinformed about his choice.

The Economist

Most companies involved in the business are hoping that, in retrospect, that forecast appears misinformed.

The Economist

Mr Stevenson says he was misinformed by a source, now deceased.

The Economist

The Christmas post brought the following letter from Ms Short:Your snide comments on my political views and the Globalisation White Paper are misinformed.

The Economist

This would explain why those respondents who were "non-citizens" or "registered elsewhere" (probably recent arrivals) were more likely to give the correct answer than voters who are registered where they live.It's all too difficultThe longer that people live in California, it seems, the more likely they are to be misinformed, and possibly brainwashed into ignorance.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the connotation: "misinformed" is generally less accusatory than saying someone is lying. Use it when you want to suggest someone has simply received bad information, not necessarily acting maliciously.

Common error

Avoid using "misinformed" when "uninformed" is more appropriate. "Misinformed" means someone has received incorrect information, while "uninformed" means they lack information altogether. The terms are not interchangeable.

Linguistic Context

The word "misinformed" functions as a verb in the past participle form, often used as an adjective. It describes a state of having been given incorrect or misleading information. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

28%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "misinformed" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjective, indicating that someone has received and believes incorrect information. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a standard and accepted term in written English. Analysis of its usage reveals its prevalence across diverse contexts, including news, encyclopedias, and scientific publications. While related to concepts like being "ill-informed" or "deceived", it carries a specific nuance of having received incorrect data. When using "misinformed", clarity regarding the source and subject of the misinformation is key. As shown by the multiple examples, many top authoritative sources use the word.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ill-informed

Similar to "misinformed", but emphasizes a general lack of knowledge rather than being given incorrect information.

poorly informed

Highlights the inadequate quality of the information received.

given wrong information

Directly states the act of receiving incorrect data.

under a false impression

Focuses on the state of believing something untrue.

operating on incorrect data

Focuses on the faulty data being used as a basis for action.

led astray

Implies intentional deception or misleading.

deceived

Emphasizes the act of being intentionally misled.

in the dark

Suggests a complete lack of knowledge or awareness.

under a delusion

Highlights a persistent false belief, often stronger than simply being misinformed.

out of touch

Indicates a lack of current knowledge or understanding of a situation.

FAQs

How to use "misinformed" in a sentence?

You can use "misinformed" to describe someone who has been given incorrect or misleading information. For example, "The public was "misinformed" about the new government policies."

What can I say instead of "misinformed"?

You can use alternatives like "ill-informed", "poorly informed", or "under a false impression" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "misinformed" or "uninformed"?

"Misinformed" implies that someone has received incorrect information. "Uninformed" means they lack information. The correct choice depends on the situation.

What's the difference between "misinformed" and "deceived"?

"Misinformed" suggests unintentional inaccuracy, while "deceived" implies intentional misleading. "Deceived" carries a stronger connotation of being deliberately misled.