Words / B1

mis-LEED-ing/ˌmɪsˈliːdɪŋ/

Misleading gives the wrong idea: a misleading headline; misleading advertising. False can mean untrue; misleading can be technically true but still distort. Mislead is the verb. Deceptive is stronger. Advertising Standards action often uses misleading. Do not use it for a simple mistake in a date unless it could cause the wrong conclusion.

Meaning

Giving the wrong idea, even if it is not a direct lie.

Examples

• “The headline was misleading because the fall in crime was tiny.”
• “The headline was misleading: the “fall” in crime was within the margin of error.”
• “Misleading adverts for loans were banned after complaints.”

Good to know

a misleading headline / advert. Verb: mislead. Stronger: deceptive / false. Can be “true but distorting”.

Near in meaning

deceptive

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