misdirection

[mis-di-rek-shuhn]

noun

1. a wrong or incorrect direction, guidance, or instruction.

   Unfortunately, his advice on the matter was a misdirection acted upon by numerous state leaders.

2. the use of misleading appearances or distraction to prevent detection of one’s true intent, as in a sports play, magic trick, plot twist, or wrongdoing; feint.

   The film begins with a masterful bit of misdirection, which sets up our expectations only to have them upended by a surprising twist.

   The media’s unveiling of a scandal at this precise moment is clearly misdirection, which serves both them and the White House well.

3. Law.,  an erroneous charge to the jury by a judge.

Word History and Origins

Origin of misdirection¹

First recorded in 1760–70; mis- ¹ + direction

Example Sentences

The cover art is — assuming this isn’t some misdirection — a cryptic minty green background and sparkly orange padlock.

From Los Angeles Times

All this misdirection, even in the face of a senseless mass shooting, is very deliberate.

From Salon

His talent for misdirection also applies to the narrative.

From Los Angeles Times

Secreted inside the technobabble dust jacket was a Polish-language copy of George Orwell’s “1984,” the boring cover a deliberate misdirection to deter prying eyes.

From Los Angeles Times

For all his high-concept misdirections in videos and films, you could feel the troubled intimacy that’s kept fans invested in this music over so many aesthetics.

From Los Angeles Times