misidentify

American

[mis-ahy-den-tuh-fahy, -i-den-] / ˌmɪs aɪˈdɛn təˌfaɪ, -ɪˈdɛn- /

verb (used with object)

misidentified, misidentifying

to identify incorrectly.

Other Word Forms

misidentification noun

Etymology

Origin of misidentify

First recorded in 1890–95; mis- ¹ + identify

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.

"We've found that many respondents misidentify a warning as a watch, which means conditions are favorable for a tornado," Armstrong said.

From Science Daily • May 9, 2024

"Why lie about this and why misidentify the payment if it was legal? And second, your response to that theory of the case?"

From Salon • Mar. 15, 2023

Plus, many people misidentify butterflies, notes Sarabia, so a guide can help you safely spot them.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 26, 2023

“How could this major airline misidentify a passenger in such a grotesque and negligent way, to cause such harm,” Mr. Lowe said.

From Washington Times • Jun. 9, 2022

They misidentify other marks like animal bites as alleged human bite marks.

From Slate • Apr. 4, 2022

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