misleading

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "misleading" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe information or statements that are deceptive or likely to cause misunderstanding. Example: "The advertisement was misleading, as it did not accurately represent the product's features."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Joe Hockey says a political fundraising forum which asked members for $22,000 a year "to assist Joe Hockey" was "grossly misleading" because he had not accepted money from any organisation or individual.

The Guardian

David Cameron was accused of revealing his ill-suppressed Bullingdon Club instincts when he shouted at the Labour frontbencher Angela Eagle to "calm down, dear" as she berated him for misleading MPs at prime minister's questions.

The Guardian

Rodric Braithwaite London The claim that the west gave no guarantees against Nato expanding eastwards may be literally true but is nevertheless misleading.

The Guardian

I find both references misleading and unfair to the Lithuanian state.

The Guardian - Opinion

A sequence which featured acupuncture being used instead of general anaesthetic during open heart surgery in China was alleged to be misleading by "underplaying" the use of drugs which were also administered.

The Guardian - Opinion

Terms such as a 'something for nothing culture' are misleading and very unfortunate".

The Guardian

Although it was followed up widely, both at home and overseas, the story was highly misleading.

The Guardian

The opening clause in the editors' code of practice, about accuracy, states: "A significant inaccuracy, misleading statement or distortion once recognised must be corrected, promptly and with due prominence... ...... On 15 March, The Sun published an "exclusive" splash headlined "Louis in BGT 'fix'fix

The Guardian

In almost all cases, this is wildly misleading.

The Guardian - Opinion

The ABC is standing by the veracity of a rural news report which claimed animal rights activists had complained about sheep being verbally abused by shearers, despite claims it is highly misleading.

The Guardian

Jacob Acaye, the Ugandan former child abductee at the heart of the film Kony 2012, a web phenomenon seen by more than 50 million people around the world, defended the video and its makers on Thursday against criticism that it is misleading and champions western intervention against an insurgency which is already waning and on the run.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be precise about what makes the information misleading—is it factually incorrect, incomplete, or presented in a way that creates a false impression?

Common error

Avoid assuming malicious intent when describing something as "misleading". It might simply be a result of oversight or unintentional inaccuracy.

Linguistic Context

The word "misleading" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe something that is deceptive or likely to cause someone to believe something that is not true. This is supported by Ludwig AI, which confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

92%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "misleading" serves as an adjective that describes something deceptive or likely to cause misunderstanding. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically correct and commonly used, especially in news and media contexts to point out inaccuracies or potential deception. It is important to be aware of the potential implications and the importance of specifying what is being misled. The term carries a neutral tone and is suitable for various contexts, from formal reports to everyday discussions. Be sure to use it judiciously and with attention to detail to maintain clarity and avoid overstating intentions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deceptive

Focuses on the intention to deceive.

deceiving

Highlights the act of causing someone to believe something that is not true.

inaccurate

Highlights the lack of correctness or precision.

distorted

Implies that something has been twisted or misrepresented.

erroneous

Emphasizes that information is incorrect.

equivocal

Emphasizes ambiguity and the potential for multiple interpretations.

fallacious

Points to a logical flaw or error in reasoning.

ambiguous

Highlights the lack of clarity and potential for confusion.

fraudulent

Indicates an intent to deceive for financial gain.

illusory

Suggests something is not real but appears to be.

FAQs

How can I use "misleading" in a sentence?

You can use "misleading" to describe information, statements, or even appearances that are deceptive or likely to cause misunderstanding. For example, "The company's advertising was "misleading", as it exaggerated the product's benefits."

What can I say instead of "misleading"?

You can use alternatives like "deceptive", "inaccurate", or "equivocal" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "misleading information" or "misinformed information"?

"Misleading information" implies that the information is designed or likely to deceive. "Misinformed information" suggests that the information is simply incorrect or based on a misunderstanding.

What's the difference between "misleading" and "deceptive"?

"Misleading" suggests a tendency to lead astray or create a false impression, while "deceptive" implies an intention to deceive. Something can be "misleading" without being intentionally "deceptive".