Synonyms

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.

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Vocabulary lists containing misrepresentation

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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.

"At this early stage, I am extremely cautious regarding what is fact vs. fiction or misrepresentation," Graham wrote on X.

From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026

The court is currently only weighing the misrepresentation charge, but could end up considering the foreign-policy ground if the appeals court ruling holds.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 15, 2026

“This misrepresentation allowed James to obtain favorable loan terms not available for investment properties,” according to the indictment.

From Salon • Dec. 8, 2025

"I am myself a victim of deception, misrepresentation, and manipulation," Zuma-Sambudla adds in the affidavit.

From BBC • Nov. 28, 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