Misdirection Meaning in English

word

US

UK

Definition

Misdirection means causing someone to focus on the wrong thing or go in the wrong direction, often used when someone is distracted on purpose to hide the real action.

Usage & Nuances

Often used in magic tricks, sports, and discussions of deception; typically formal or neutral in tone. Frequently appears as 'act of misdirection' or 'using misdirection.' Not the same as a simple mistake—misdirection is usually intentional.

• Spanish: desviación - distracción - engaño
• Portuguese (BR): desvio - distração - engano
• Portuguese (PT): desvio - distracção - engano
• Chinese (Simplified): 误导 - 转移注意力
• Chinese (Traditional): 誤導 - 轉移注意力
• Hindi: गलत दिशा निर्देश - भ्रमित करना
• Arabic: توجيه خاطئ - تشتيت الانتباه
• Bengali: বিভ্রান্তি - বিভ্রান্তিমূলক নির্দেশনা
• Russian: отвлечение - дезориентация
• Japanese: ミスディレクション - 注意そらし
• Vietnamese: đánh lạc hướng
• Korean: 속임수 - 눈속임
• Turkish: yanıltma - yanlış yönlendirme
• Urdu: گمراہ کرنا - توجہ ہٹانا
• Indonesian: pengalihan perhatian - penyesatan

Example Sentences

The magician used misdirection to hide the coin.

basic

The team failed because of misdirection in the plan.

basic

Good misdirection can trick even smart people.

basic

Through clever misdirection, the thief escaped without anyone noticing.

natural

Her story was just misdirection to keep us from finding the truth.

natural

Politicians sometimes use misdirection when answering tough questions.

natural