mischaracterize

verb

mis·​char·​ac·​ter·​ize ˌmis-ˈker-ik-tə-ˌrīz How to pronounce mischaracterize (audio)
-ˈka-rik-
mischaracterized; mischaracterizing

transitive verb

: to characterize (someone or something) wrongly
mischaracterized his position on the issue
In many cases, the problems that the news media, activists, and politicians hype are real enough; however they are frequently greatly exaggerated and mischaracterizedBenjamin Radford

Examples of mischaracterize in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
The claim about prisoners mischaracterizes an argument made by attorneys for her California Attorney General’s office about the need for nonviolent offenders to help fight wildfires. Hannah Hudnall, USA TODAY, 31 Oct. 2024 As in 2020, Trump’s playbook in Pennsylvania involves exaggerating and mischaracterizing any irregularities around the state’s election to bolster claims of widespread fraud. Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2024 These claims are misleading Officials say the claims mischaracterize efforts to coordinate disaster relief and keep people safe. Rhona Tarrant, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2024 Due to an editing error, an earlier version of this story mischaracterized the percentage of state education funding directed to private schools. Grace Salata, Cooper Vandriessche, and Taylore Williams, The Indianapolis Star, 4 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for mischaracterize 

Word History

First Known Use

1798, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mischaracterize was in 1798

Dictionary Entries Near mischaracterize

Cite this Entry

“Mischaracterize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mischaracterize. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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