out-of-context
Lacking original setting
Out-of-context describes something removed from its original setting in a way that distorts its meaning.
A quotation taken out of context can seem to say something the speaker never intended: That clip is completely out of context.
The phrase often appears in defenses against criticism: My remarks were taken out of context.
Context provides the circumstances that make meaning clear; without it, words or actions can mislead.
Choosing only supporting examples
- distortionTwisting from original state
- misquoteInaccurate citation
- selectiveChoosing with care
- spinRapid rotation around axis
twisting · manipulation · misrepresentation · oversimplification · wrenching · slanting · skewing · framing
Barely connected to main point
- extraneousNot pertinent or essential
- off-topicUnrelated to discussion
- disconnectedSeparated from a source
- unrelatedHaving no link
digression · peripheral · inapplicable · non-sequitur · random · misplaced · incongruous · anachronistic
Incorrect understanding of meaning
- bewildermentState of being baffled
- puzzlementState of being baffled
- misunderstandingFailure to grasp meaning
- misreadingIncorrect interpretation of text
ambiguity · disconnection · incongruity · misapprehension · perplexity · disorientation · non-sequitur · incoherence
Intentional deceptive falsehoods
- misinformationFalse data spread unintentionally
- propagandaBiased information for influence
- fabricationDeliberately untrue statement
- falsificationDeliberate alteration of truth
half-truths · sensationalism · clickbait · misleading · dishonest · sophistry · fallacy · strawman
cherry-picking
Choosing only supporting examples
- distortionTwisting from original state
- misquoteInaccurate citation
- selectiveChoosing with care
spin · twisting · manipulation · misrepresentation · oversimplification · wrenching · slanting · skewing · framing · excerpting
tangential
Barely connected to main point
- extraneousNot pertinent or essential
- off-topicUnrelated to discussion
- disconnectedSeparated from a source
unrelated · digression · peripheral · inapplicable · non-sequitur · random · misplaced · incongruous · anachronistic · ill-fitting
misinterpretation
Incorrect understanding of meaning
- bewildermentState of being baffled
- puzzlementState of being baffled
- misunderstandingFailure to grasp meaning
misreading · ambiguity · disconnection · incongruity · misapprehension · perplexity · disorientation · non-sequitur · incoherence · bafflement
disinformation
Intentional deceptive falsehoods
- misinformationFalse data spread unintentionally
- propagandaBiased information for influence
- fabricationDeliberately untrue statement
falsification · half-truths · sensationalism · clickbait · misleading · dishonest · sophistry · fallacy · strawman · gaslighting
out-of-contextunmanipulated
Not artificially changed
undistorted · unedited · in good faith · honest · fair
context, outer, outing, outward, outermost, contextual, contextually, contextualize, contextualization