misdirection

noun

mis·​di·​rec·​tion ˌmis-də-ˈrek-shən 

-(ˌ)dī-

1

: a wrong direction

2

a

: the act or an instance of misdirecting or diverting

b

: the state of being misdirected

Examples of misdirection in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In fact, that seemed to be Sheridan executing an outstanding misdirection effort. — David Hookstead Outkick, FOXNews.com, 29 Sep. 2026

The second is a misdirection technique called veiled capitalization, in which a word that appears to be a common noun is actually a proper one (or vice versa). — New York Times, 24 Sep. 2026

Longtin receives the lion’s share of the carries, but the two wings in the triple-option are closely tied to that effort, blocking or creating misdirection. — Steve Reaven, Chicago Tribune, 15 Sep. 2026

Playwright Holloway has all sorts of tricks up his many sleeves, turning misdirection (visual, narrative, aural or otherwise) into a symphony of look-here! — Greg Evans, Deadline, 29 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1675, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for misdirection

• circumspection
• disaffection
• disconnection
• disinfection
• dorsiflexion
• imperfection
• indirection
• insurrection
• intellection
• interjection
• intersection
• introjection