misconception

noun

mis·​con·​cep·​tion ˌmis-kən-ˈsep-shən How to pronounce misconception (audio)
plural misconceptions
: a wrong or inaccurate idea or conception
a common/popular misconception
There's this misconception that you get famous and everything is perfect.Chris Daughtry
The new name, along with more stringent criteria for diagnosing the disorder, represents an attempt to clear up misconceptions about the disorder and to have it taken more seriously by psychiatrists as well as the courts.Janny Scott
Many gardeners are under the misconception [=have the mistaken idea] that bamboos grow only in mild climates.Nan Sterman
… artists, writers, and musicians who labor under the misconception that it's possible to come up with something new under the sun …Simon Reynolds

Examples of misconception in a Sentence

it is a popular misconception that the Great Wall of China is visible from outer space
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Fellowes would also like to clear up a misconception about The Grand Finale, which is commonly being referred to as the definitive end of the long-running franchise. Andy Swift, TVLine, 13 Sep. 2025 There's other big misconceptions around PPA, too. Hannah Silverman, Parents, 11 Sep. 2025 The real-life fears and misconceptions about how AIDS could and could not be transmitted were central to the storyline, adding extra pressure to be accurate in the face of evolving understanding of the virus. Scott Malia, The Conversation, 10 Sep. 2025 Cost Isn’t The Barrier; Complexity Is A common misconception is that edge deployments are too expensive. Bruce Kornfeld, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for misconception

Word History

First Known Use

1614, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of misconception was in 1614

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Cite this Entry

“Misconception.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/misconception. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

misconception

noun
mis·​con·​cep·​tion
ˌmis-kən-ˈsep-shən
: a wrong or mistaken idea

More from Merriam-Webster on misconception

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