disinformation
Deliberately spread lies
Disinformation is false information deliberately created and spread to deceive.
Unlike misinformation, which may be shared innocently, disinformation implies intent—someone knows it's false and spreads it anyway: Russian disinformation campaigns targeted the election, The report was pure disinformation.
The word entered English from Russian dezinformatsiya, a Soviet intelligence term.
Deliberately untrue statement
- untruthA false statement
- lieDeliberate falsehood
- falsityState of being incorrect
- hoaxDeliberate deception for effect
canard · myth · misrepresentation · distortion · inaccuracy · prevarication · fake news · conspiracy theory
Rapid rotation around axis
- gaslightingManipulation causing self-doubt
- astroturfingDisguised sponsored advocacy
- trollingProvoking reactions online
- deepfakeAI-manipulated video mimicry
sock puppet · cherry-picking · whataboutism · strawman · fearmongering · scapegoating · wedge issue · selective editing
Political art for causes
- brainwashingCoercive psychological manipulation
- indoctrinationSystematic uncritical belief instillation
- psyopsStrategic manipulation of adversaries' thinking
- messagingSending written digital communications
state media · narrative control · echo chamber · radicalization · incitement · demonization · demagogy · mythmaking
Spreading quickly online
- amplificationIncrease in intensity
- algorithmFinite problem-solving procedure
- social mediaOnline content-sharing platforms
- platformRaised flat structure
fact-check · debunk · retraction · correction · content moderation · takedown · flagging · verification
Mental ability, cognitive capacity
- counterintelligenceDefense against enemy espionage
- subversionUndermining established authority
- infiltrationCovert entry into organization
- moleSubterranean insectivore
agent · kompromat · foreign interference · troll farm · state-sponsored · GRU
Deliberate online antagonist
- botAutomated software agent
- propagandistPusher of biased messaging
- operativeCovert field agent
- bad actorMalevolent participant
influencer · shill · provocateur · conspiracy theorist · grifter · charlatan · foreign agent · state actor
fabrication
Deliberately untrue statement
hoax · canard · myth · misrepresentation · distortion · inaccuracy · prevarication · fake news · conspiracy theory · half-truth
spin
Rapid rotation around axis
- gaslightingManipulation causing self-doubt
- astroturfingDisguised sponsored advocacy
- trollingProvoking reactions online
deepfake · sock puppet · cherry-picking · whataboutism · strawman · fearmongering · scapegoating · wedge issue · selective editing · out-of-context
agitprop
Political art for causes
- brainwashingCoercive psychological manipulation
- indoctrinationSystematic uncritical belief instillation
- psyopsStrategic manipulation of adversaries' thinking
messaging · state media · narrative control · echo chamber · radicalization · incitement · demonization · demagogy · mythmaking · ideology
viral
Spreading quickly online
- amplificationIncrease in intensity
- algorithmFinite problem-solving procedure
- social mediaOnline content-sharing platforms
platform · fact-check · debunk · retraction · correction · content moderation · takedown · flagging · verification · source
intelligence
Mental ability, cognitive capacity
- counterintelligenceDefense against enemy espionage
- subversionUndermining established authority
- infiltrationCovert entry into organization
mole · agent · kompromat · foreign interference · troll farm · state-sponsored · GRU
troll
Deliberate online antagonist
- botAutomated software agent
- propagandistPusher of biased messaging
- operativeCovert field agent
bad actor · influencer · shill · provocateur · conspiracy theorist · grifter · charlatan · foreign agent · state actor · proxy
- media lawlibel, media regulation, press laws, slander, defamation
- deceptionlie, lies, lying, fake, fraud
- espionagespy, spies, double agent, double agents, spying
- wartimerationing, war economy, war bonds, war effort, evacuations
- dirty trickscheating, lying, deceit, trickery, deception
- falsehoodslie, lies, lying, fib, fibbing
disinformationtruth
Accordance with reality
transparency · candor · truth-telling · straight talk · whistleblowing
disinformationenlightenment
Profound spiritual awakening
education · fact-checking · public education · truth-telling · clarification
- disinformation campaignDeliberate spreading of false narratives
- disinformation agentOne who spreads falsehoods deliberately
inform, information, misinformation, informative, informer, misinform, misinformed, informational, disinform