Misrepresentation

Misrepresentation is the act or instance of presenting something falsely or inaccurately; it involves giving a misleading account or depiction of facts, intentions, or characteristics. This can be intentional, aiming to deceive, or unintentional, stemming from ignorance or misunderstanding. misrepresentation often occurs in legal, financial, and business contexts, and can have significant consequences, ranging from damaged reputations to legal liabilities. It undermines trust and transparency and hinders informed decision-making, thereby leading to detrimental results.

Misrepresentation meaning with examples

• The company's advertising contained a significant misrepresentation of its product's capabilities, leading customers to believe it could perform tasks it was incapable of. Several customers were misled and the company received several complaints. This deception resulted in public disappointment and a decline in sales, illustrating the cost of misleading information.
• During the contract negotiations, the seller made a misrepresentation about the property's condition, concealing a serious structural defect. This act undermined the buyer’s trust and the contract ultimately became void. Consequently, the buyer had the inconvenience of finding a new property and the seller faced legal issues.
• The witness's testimony in court contained a critical misrepresentation of the events, leading to a potentially incorrect verdict. This false depiction clouded the evidence and hampered the fair outcome. His account had to be questioned by the court and it impacted the outcome of the case and those involved.
• The politician's campaign used a misrepresentation of the opponent's voting record to sway public opinion. By selectively quoting and exaggerating information, they successfully turned public sentiment against their competition. But once it was revealed, the politician suffered backlash that was very damaging.