misdirection

American  

[mis-di-rek-shuhn] / ˌmɪs dɪˈrɛk ʃən /

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.

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Etymology

Origin of misdirection

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

Explanation

If you give someone mistaken guidance or instructions, that's misdirection, like when you tell a tourist the wrong route to find a museum. Another type of misdirection is the kind magicians use when they draw your attention away from their sleight of hand. By directing an audience's focus to a magic wand waving in the air, a good magician can make it seem like a rabbit has suddenly appeared in their hat. Pickpockets use a similar kind of misdirection, steering a victim's attention away from the hand that's sliding into their pocket and grabbing their wallet.

Example Sentences

Nichols added: "But here's the kicker: in this debate, experiences like mine feel like they've been weaponised and are being used for rhetorical misdirection, for what this Bill actually is."

From BBC • Mar. 11, 2026

The air feels fickle, almost flirtatious, as if it enjoys the misdirection.

From Salon • Mar. 1, 2026

Their music is the full of dread, misdirection and dark absurdity.

From BBC • Jan. 6, 2026

Even the film’s title is misdirection: It comes from a trailer Armando sees in his father-in-law’s theater for a dumb 1973 French-language comedy starring Jean-Paul Belmondo, “Le Magnifique.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 27, 2025

As always, secrecy and misdirection remain top priorities.

From "Fablehaven" by Brandon Mull