verb · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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CMU ARPABET:M IH0 S G AY1 D
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
verb
Meaning 1
To guide poorly or incorrectly; to lead astray or into error.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: mislead
Antonyms: none provided
Narrower terms: misinform
2
verb
Meaning 2
give bad advice to
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: misadvise
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: rede, advise, counsel
3
verb
Meaning 3
lead someone in the wrong direction or give someone wrong directions
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
The pedestrian misdirected the out-of-town driver
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: mislead, misdirect, lead astray
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: lead, take, direct, conduct, guide
History
Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *mey-? Proto-Indo-European *meyth2-der. Proto-Germanic *missaz Proto-Germanic *missa- Proto-West Germanic *missa- Old English mis- Middle English mys- English mis- English guide English misguide From mis- + guide.