misguide
Steer someone wrong
To misguide is to lead someone in the wrong direction—literally or figuratively.
Most often the error is unintentional: The outdated map misguided us.
But misguide can also imply deliberate deception: He was misguided by false advisors.
The past participle misguided works as an adjective for well-meaning but mistaken efforts: a misguided attempt to help.
Cause false belief
- deludeLead into false belief
- hoodwinkTrick into false belief
- dupeDeceive or victim
- trickDeliberate deception
fool · deceive · bamboozle · beguile · swindle · con · scam · hoax
Lead away from truth
- wrong wayOpposite of correct direction
- detourAlternate path around obstruction
- lostUnable to navigate
- astrayOff the right path
wayward · off course · dead end · disoriented · stray · wander · maze · labyrinth
Intentional deceptive falsehoods
- falsehoodDeliberate untrue statement
- propagandaBiased information for influence
- misrepresentDepict inaccurately or falsely
- distortTwist from original form
falsify · fabricate · misspeak · inaccuracy · untruth · fallacy · error · myth
Corrupt or distort
- warpBend from true form
- depraveCorrupt morally
- lead astrayCause to err
- bad influenceOne who encourages wrongdoing
tempt · corrupt · entice · sway · indoctrinate · radicalize · brainwash · groom
mislead
Cause false belief
trick · fool · deceive · bamboozle · beguile · swindle · con · scam · hoax · fraud
misdirect
Lead away from truth
astray · wayward · off course · dead end · disoriented · stray · wander · maze · labyrinth
disinformation
Intentional deceptive falsehoods
- falsehoodDeliberate untrue statement
- propagandaBiased information for influence
- misrepresentDepict inaccurately or falsely
distort · falsify · fabricate · misspeak · inaccuracy · untruth · fallacy · error · myth · rumor
pervert
Corrupt or distort
- warpBend from true form
- depraveCorrupt morally
- lead astrayCause to err
bad influence · tempt · corrupt · entice · sway · indoctrinate · radicalize · brainwash · groom · recruit
bewilder
Cause utter confusion
confound · disorient · muddle · obfuscate · obscure · puzzle · mystify · flummox · addle · discombobulate
misguideguide
Leader or instruction book
direct · lead · steer · orient · show the way
misguidedisabuse
Correct a mistaken belief
undeceive · disillusion · set straight · correct · disenchant