To inaccurately or erroneously remember something; to recall or remember events, facts, or information incorrectly. This often results from flawed memory processes, including distortions, omissions, and fabrications of details. The term emphasizes the deviation from the actual reality of the past event or piece of information. The inaccuracy can be minor, involving a detail, or significant, leading to a completely different understanding. It highlights the fallibility of human memory and the potential for unconscious manipulation or reconstruction of past experiences. It suggests a genuine attempt to remember, but a failure in accurately doing so.
Misrecalled meaning with examples
- During the trial, the witness's testimony was questioned when he was asked about the timeline of events and the attorney made clear, he misrecalled many details. It was evident the intense pressure and years since the event contributed to the misrecall. The jury considered the potential inaccuracies when assessing the credibility of his statements, and questioned whether it was intentional.
- After the accident, she believed she saw a red car, but her neighbor, also a witness, and the security footage revealed it was actually blue. This misrecall, a result of shock and the chaotic environment, complicated the investigation, initially directing it towards the wrong vehicle and potentially leading to confusion.
- The historian's published account of the battle, based on oral histories, contained several misrecalled details about troop movements, equipment used, and the duration of key events. Despite extensive research, the lack of written documentation and the passage of time introduced errors affecting historical accuracy.
- She misrecalled the specific ingredients for the recipe she was trying to replicate for her famous dish, which resulted in it tasting vastly different. The slight variation, the missing pinch of salt or altered spice blend, significantly changed the overall flavor profile of the meal, and left all wondering.
- The detective's initial report included a critical detail about the suspect's alibi which he later discovered was a misrecall due to the distraction of background noises. This crucial piece of information, when corrected, drastically changed the course of the investigation and led him towards a more accurate conclusion.