Mislead

To cause someone to believe something that is not true, often by giving them false or inaccurate information; to guide or lead someone astray. This can be done intentionally, with the aim of deceiving, or unintentionally, due to lack of knowledge or carelessness. Misleading actions often involve presenting a distorted picture of reality, manipulating data, or creating a false impression. The consequences of being misled can range from minor inconvenience to significant harm, depending on the nature of the deception and the decisions based on the inaccurate information.

Mislead meaning with examples

• The deceptive advertising campaign was designed to mislead consumers into thinking the product was more effective than it actually was. The company highlighted positive aspects and buried any downsides, resulting in exaggerated claims. Many customers then purchased the product under false pretenses. Eventually, investigations uncovered the misleading tactics. The company faced lawsuits.
• The witness's evasive answers and carefully chosen words were intended to mislead the jury, even if he didn't explicitly lie. His strategic vagueness helped him. He omitted crucial facts and constructed misleading narratives to skew the truth, potentially influencing the verdict. His goal was to manipulate the perceptions. Legal professionals scrutinized the testimony.
• During the emergency, the conflicting reports from different sources initially **misled** the public. Information initially spread was inaccurate. This confusion caused a delay in people's understanding of how to respond. Official information eventually clarified the situation, and provided accurate guidance. Authorities worked quickly to disseminate correct facts and combat the misinformation.
• The seemingly unbiased news article subtly **misled** readers by selectively presenting facts that supported a particular viewpoint. The journalist used loaded language and omission to create bias, subtly manipulating opinions, and framing the issue in a certain way. Objectivity in journalism was clearly absent. Consumers struggled to discern the underlying agenda.
• His initial statements and the initial information provided to investors were intentionally crafted to mislead them about the company's financial health. This deceptive practice was used to obtain more capital. Concealing poor performance and overstating profits were the primary goals to maintain investor confidence and keep the company afloat until it eventually failed.