disinform
Deliberately deceive publicly
To disinform is to deliberately spread false or misleading information, typically to deceive a target audience or advance a political agenda.
Unlike misinform, which may be accidental, disinform implies intentional deception.
Foreign operatives disinformed voters through fake social media accounts.
The related noun disinformation describes the false content itself or the practice of spreading it.
Biased information for influence
- fake newsIntentionally deceptive media content
- spinRapid rotation around axis
- distortionTwisting from original state
- fabricationDeliberately untrue statement
manipulation · deception · falsehood · misrepresentation · hoax · rumormongering · obfuscation · gaslighting
Strategic manipulation of adversaries' thinking
- agitpropPolitical art for causes
- political warfareNonmilitary coercive statecraft
- media manipulationDeliberate distortion of public information
- troll farmOrganized disinformation operation
Coercive psychological manipulation
- indoctrinationSystematic uncritical belief instillation
- radicalizationShift toward extreme ideology
- polarizationSeparation into opposing extremes
- confusionMental disorientation or bewilderment
Pusher of biased messaging
- trollDeliberate online antagonist
- botAutomated software agent
- bad actorMalevolent participant
- provocateurOne who deliberately incites
shill · operative · agitator · demagogue · charlatan · grifter · influencer · sock puppet
propaganda
Biased information for influence
- fake newsIntentionally deceptive media content
- spinRapid rotation around axis
- distortionTwisting from original state
fabrication · manipulation · deception · falsehood · misrepresentation · hoax · rumormongering · obfuscation · gaslighting · astroturfing
psyops
Strategic manipulation of adversaries' thinking
- agitpropPolitical art for causes
- political warfareNonmilitary coercive statecraft
- media manipulationDeliberate distortion of public information
troll farm · state-sponsored · foreign interference · hybrid warfare
brainwashing
Coercive psychological manipulation
- indoctrinationSystematic uncritical belief instillation
- radicalizationShift toward extreme ideology
- polarizationSeparation into opposing extremes
confusion · distrust · skepticism · echo chamber · filter bubble
propagandist
Pusher of biased messaging
provocateur · shill · operative · agitator · demagogue · charlatan · grifter · influencer · sock puppet · front group
disinforminform
Give facts to
tell the truth · enlighten · educate · brief · apprise
disinformdisabuse
Correct a mistaken belief
correct · set straight · undeceive · debunk · fact-check
- disinformation campaignDeliberate spreading of false narratives
- disinformation agentOne who spreads falsehoods deliberately