misnomer
Inaccurate term applied
A misnomer is a name or term that doesn't accurately describe what it refers to.
Koala bear is a misnomer—they're marsupials, not bears.
The word often appears when correcting misconceptions: Calling it a jellyfish is a misnomer since it's not actually a fish.
Something mislabeled or mischaracterized can itself be called a misnomer.
Name something incorrectly
- miscallLabel incorrectly
- misbrandLabel a product falsely
- mistagIncorrectly categorize or label
- misattributeAssign to wrong source
mislabel · nickname · moniker · title · pseudonym · alias · designation · appellation
Lack of harmony
- discrepancyDifference between expected and actual
- contradictionOpposing claims, incompatible together
- paradoxSeemingly absurd truth
- anomalyDeparture from the expected
inconsistency · dissonance · misalignment · anachronism · oddity · irony · oxymoron · disconnect
Causing false beliefs
- incorrectNot accurate or true
- inaccurateNot correct or precise
- inexactLacking full accuracy
- impreciseLacking exactness or accuracy
erroneous · false · wrong · unfitting · inapt · inappropriate · unsuitable · misapplied
Failure to grasp meaning
- misinterpretationIncorrect understanding of meaning
- misconceptionErroneous belief or understanding
- ambiguityOpenness to multiple interpretations
- misperceptionIncorrect interpretation of reality
muddle · mix-up · bewilderment · perplexity · uncertainty · misreading · misconstruction · mistaken identity
Tree-dwelling Australian marsupial
- peanutEdible underground legume
- starfishFive-armed marine invertebrate
- jellyfishDrifting marine stinger
- tin foilThin metallic sheeting
lead pencil · French horn · English horn · guinea pig · prairie dog · flying fox · sweetbread · head cheese
mistitle
Name something incorrectly
misattribute · mislabel · nickname · moniker · title · pseudonym · alias · designation · appellation · sobriquet
incongruity
Lack of harmony
- discrepancyDifference between expected and actual
- contradictionOpposing claims, incompatible together
- paradoxSeemingly absurd truth
anomaly · inconsistency · dissonance · misalignment · anachronism · oddity · irony · oxymoron · disconnect · disparity
misleading
Causing false beliefs
- incorrectNot accurate or true
- inaccurateNot correct or precise
- inexactLacking full accuracy
imprecise · erroneous · false · wrong · unfitting · inapt · inappropriate · unsuitable · misapplied · ill-fitting
misunderstanding
Failure to grasp meaning
- misinterpretationIncorrect understanding of meaning
- misconceptionErroneous belief or understanding
- ambiguityOpenness to multiple interpretations
misperception · muddle · mix-up · bewilderment · perplexity · uncertainty · misreading · misconstruction · mistaken identity · false impression
koala bear
Tree-dwelling Australian marsupial
- peanutEdible underground legume
- starfishFive-armed marine invertebrate
- jellyfishDrifting marine stinger
tin foil · lead pencil · French horn · English horn · guinea pig · prairie dog · flying fox · sweetbread · head cheese · Arabic numerals
- label errorstypo, mistagging, misprint, false label, misclassification
- Name Mistakestypo, misspelling, mispronunciation, autocorrect fail
- mistakesmistake, mistakes, slip, error, errors
- misunderstandingsmisunderstanding, misinterpretation, misconception, misreading, miscommunication
- Mistaken Identitywrong person, lookalike, doppelganger, mix-up, confusion