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

But Mr. Beshear’s invocation of it is misdirection.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 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

I assumed that all of these posts were filled with misdirection and misinformation, but they were still highly entertaining.

From "Ready Player One: A Novel" by Ernest Cline