misidentification
noun
mis·iden·ti·fi·ca·tion
ˌmis-ī-ˌden-tə-fə-ˈkā-shən 
ˌmis-ə-
plural misidentifications
: incorrect or false identification
The long-term nature of a life insurance policy sometimes accounts for a misidentification of the insured.—
Harriett E. Jones et al.
Harriett E. Jones et al.In the finished novel, the central character insists on calling his girlfriend June, though her name is Joan—one of many obsessional misidentifications in [Henry] Green's fiction.—Jeremy Treglown
Jeremy TreglownExamples of misidentification in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The controversy around Snoop’s Ajna Goat pendant and its misidentification as a Satanic symbol by the Christian right shows how brands can turn misunderstandings into powerful marketing moments.
—Lilian Raji, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024
These convictions were not caused by unintentional mistakes by local law enforcement or misidentification by well-meaning eyewitnesses or honest but erroneous forensic analysis.
—CBS News, 18 Oct. 2024
About 6,000 toxic mushroom ingestions happen each year in the United States, more than half in children under 6 years old, according to the National Library of Medicine, which said misidentification of species is among the top reasons for mushroom poisonings.
—Jordan D. Brown, CNN, 12 Oct. 2024
But for many searches, the results were filled with understandable misidentifications.
—Paresh Dave, WIRED, 9 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for misidentification 
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Lilian Raji, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024
These convictions were not caused by unintentional mistakes by local law enforcement or misidentification by well-meaning eyewitnesses or honest but erroneous forensic analysis.
—CBS News, 18 Oct. 2024
About 6,000 toxic mushroom ingestions happen each year in the United States, more than half in children under 6 years old, according to the National Library of Medicine, which said misidentification of species is among the top reasons for mushroom poisonings.
—Jordan D. Brown, CNN, 12 Oct. 2024
But for many searches, the results were filled with understandable misidentifications.
—Paresh Dave, WIRED, 9 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for misidentification
Dictionary Entries Near misidentification
Cite this Entry
“Misidentification.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/misidentification. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
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