Disinformation

//ˌdɪsɪnfəˈmeɪʃ(ə)n// noun, verb

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    False information intentionally disseminated to deliberately confuse or mislead; intentional misinformation. uncountable
  2. 2
    misinformation that is deliberately disseminated in order to influence or confuse rivals (foreign enemies or business competitors etc.) wordnet
  3. 3
    Fabricated or deliberately manipulated content; intentionally created conspiracy theories or rumors. uncountable

    "Moreover, Trump’s use of obvious disinformation — the amateurish video he showed Ramaphosa, and his accompanying statements about the “over a thousand” killings of white farmers — to try and make his case has uprooted whatever U.S. credibility had survived over the last several months."

Verb
  1. 1
    To use disinformation. transitive

    "A country cannot disinformation its way out of fallen soldiers."

Etymology

Etymology 1

Composed of dis- + information. Attested in the sense “intentional misinformation” in English from 1939. A different usage of disinformation occurred earlier, as early as 1887, as a simple synonym of misinformation.

Etymology 2

Composed of dis- + information. Attested in the sense “intentional misinformation” in English from 1939. A different usage of disinformation occurred earlier, as early as 1887, as a simple synonym of misinformation.

Next best steps

Mini challenge

Want a quick game? Try Word Finder.