misrepresentation

American

[mis-rep-ri-zen-tey-shuhn] / ˌmɪs rɛp rɪˌzɛnˈteɪ ʃən /

noun

the act or state of being represented incorrectly, improperly, falsely, or unsatisfactorily.

Your degree may be revoked if fraud, misrepresentation, or other violations of university standards are found to have occurred.

Other Word Forms

premisrepresentation noun

Etymology

Origin of misrepresentation

mis- ¹ ( def. ) + represent ( def. )

Explanation

A misrepresentation is when you misrepresent, or lie about, something that happened. If you say you were the quarter back of the football team but really you were the mascot, that’s a misrepresentation. A misrepresentation is a misstatement of the facts. It’s more than casting a different light on something; it’s deceptive and untrue. It’s a misrepresentation to tell your parents you went to the principal’s office to talk about books if you really got sent there for talking in class. Misrepresentations are deliberately misleading. They’re lies.

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing misrepresentation

myPerspectives 8.3

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

Words with 15 or More Letters, List 1

Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Ramadan Tent Project said Badenoch's comments were a "gross misrepresentation" of the gathering and "totally untrue".

From BBC • Mar. 19, 2026

Quantum Computing faces scrutiny from short sellers regarding product misrepresentation and has a history of business transformations.

From Barron's • Mar. 2, 2026

“But their global view, that they have an obligation to establish the rule of God in the land of God, that didn’t change. It’s a misrepresentation to portray them as only nationally-focused forever”

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 3, 2026

I asked Kennedy’s agency to comment on this apparent misrepresentation but haven’t received a response.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 25, 2025

Most important, from the point of view of the friendship, Jefferson admitted that his behind-the-scenes criticism of Adams had been a willful misrepresentation.

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023