misidentification

noun

mis·​iden·​ti·​fi·​ca·​tion ˌmis-ī-ˌden-tə-fə-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce misidentification (audio)
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.
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

Examples of misidentification 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 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 

Word History

First Known Use

1860, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of misidentification was in 1860

Dictionary Entries Near misidentification

Cite this Entry

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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