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.
Paper refund checks are 16 times more likely to have an issue, according to Treasury’s Bureau of the Fiscal Service, like being lost, misdirected, undelivered ,stolen or uncashed.. Brian Sloan, CNBC, 11 Mar. 2025 These attacks are somewhat misdirected: Hollywood hiring practices are the issue, not the Oscars, which since the turn of the century have been increasingly representative. Bill Wyman, Vulture, 28 Feb. 2025 These problems – economic inequality and loss of opportunity – were caused by the free market’s response to the lack of government action, or insufficient or misdirected action. Joseph P. Tomain, The Conversation, 27 Feb. 2025 According to the Treasury's Bureau of the Fiscal Service, paper refund checks sent by mail are 16 times more likely to have an issue—including getting lost, being misdirected, stolen or uncashed. Dan Perry, Newsweek, 13 Feb. 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Misdirect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/misdirect. Accessed 16 Mar. 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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