MISLEAD Synonyms: 73 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'mislead' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of mislead are beguile , deceive , and delude . While all these words mean "to lead astray or frustrate usually by underhandedness," mislead implies a leading astray that may or may not be intentional. // I was misled by the confusing sign

Q: When might 'beguile' be a better fit than 'mislead'?

In some situations, the words beguile and mislead are roughly equivalent. However, beguile stresses the use of charm and persuasion in deceiving. // was beguiled by false promises

Q: When could 'deceive' be used to replace 'mislead'?

While in some cases nearly identical to mislead , deceive implies imposing a false idea or belief that causes ignorance, bewilderment, or helplessness. // tried to deceive me about the cost

Q: In what contexts can 'delude' take the place of 'mislead'?

While the synonyms delude and mislead are close in meaning, delude implies deceiving so thoroughly as to obscure the truth. // we were deluded into thinking we were safe

mislead

verb

ˌmis-ˈlēd

Definition of mislead next

as in to deceive

to cause to believe what is untrue the coral snake's attractive colors can mislead you into thinking that it is harmless

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How does the verb mislead differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of mislead are beguile, deceive, and delude. While all these words mean "to lead astray or frustrate usually by underhandedness," mislead implies a leading astray that may or may not be intentional.

I was misled by the confusing sign

When might beguile be a better fit than mislead?

In some situations, the words beguile and mislead are roughly equivalent. However, beguile stresses the use of charm and persuasion in deceiving.

was beguiled by false promises

When could deceive be used to replace mislead?

While in some cases nearly identical to mislead, deceive implies imposing a false idea or belief that causes ignorance, bewilderment, or helplessness.

tried to deceive me about the cost

In what contexts can delude take the place of mislead?

While the synonyms delude and mislead are close in meaning, delude implies deceiving so thoroughly as to obscure the truth.

we were deluded into thinking we were safe

Examples Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of mislead While Biden has been in office, the Education Department has forgiven more than $28 billion in student debt for more than 1.6 million borrowers who were misled by their schools or saw their colleges close. —

Annie Nova, CNBC, 5 Dec. 2024 Trump also previously ran a for-profit school, Trump University, which students alleged misled them with false advertising. —

Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2024 Despite research dispelling many false claims, public mistrust was fueled by mixed messaging and exaggerated claims, causing many people to feel misled, according to medical experts. —

Sabrina Malhi The Washington Post, arkansasonline.com, 30 Nov. 2024 On October 21, the SEC announced a penalty against WisdomTree Asset Management for misleading investors relating to ESG funds. —

Jon McGowan, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for mislead

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mislead

Verb

File-sharing phishing attacks, are an email threat in which a cybercriminal legitimate file-hosting or e-signature solutions to deceive the victim.

Davey Winder, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
Listen to this article The U.S. Federal Trade Commission began sending payments to players of Fortnite who were deceived into making unwanted in-game purchases.

David Matthews, New York Daily News, 10 Dec. 2024