Meaning & use

misdirect

verb·Academic

To send someone or something in the wrong direction, or to give mistaken guidance.

See it in a sentence

The confusing signs misdirected drivers away from the building's main entrance.

His well-meaning advice misdirected her efforts toward entirely the wrong career path.

A note on using this word

Misdirect applies to both literal navigation and figurative guidance, such as misdirected anger or effort.

Words with a similar meaning

misleadmisguide

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Make it your own

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