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

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

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

That slow burn, with its attendant low hum of fear and anxiety, is achieved onstage largely through misdirection.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 13, 2025

It was a piece of misdirection, all meant to keep Dain’s spies busy chasing our tails while Balekin and Madoc planned to strike in the one place no one looked—right out in the open.

From "The Cruel Prince" by Holly Black