Confusing words explained
“disinformation” vs “misinformation” — What’s the Difference?
Disinformation is intentionally false; misinformation is false but not necessarily deliberate.
Key takeaway
Quick Difference: disinformation vs misinformation
Disinformation is intentionally false; misinformation is false but not necessarily deliberate.
disinformation vs misinformation Side-by-Side Comparison
Meaning of disinformation
False or misleading information deliberately spread to deceive people.
Information that is intentionally false and spread on purpose to trick or mislead people.
Use for false information deliberately created to deceive, not simple mistakes.
- False information spread on purpose to trick people is called disinformation.
- Political disinformation campaigns aim to influence voter behavior.
Meaning of misinformation
False or incorrect information shared without the intention to deceive.
Information that is wrong or false, but shared by mistake not intentionally.
Use for false information that is genuinely mistaken, not maliciously created.
- False information shared by mistake is called misinformation.
- During the pandemic, health misinformation spread rapidly online.
Usage Notes & Nuance
disinformation: Disinformation campaigns are increasingly recognized as threats to democracy and public health.
misinformation: Understanding misinformation is critical for media literacy and academic integrity.
How to Remember the Difference
Misinformation = mistaken (no bad intent); disinformation = deliberate deception.
Common Mistakes with disinformation and misinformation
Mistake with disinformation
Correct: Accidental false information is misinformation, not disinformation.
Mistake with disinformation
Correct: Disinformation is deliberately false; misinformation may be honestly mistaken.
Mistake with misinformation
Correct: If deliberate, it would be disinformation, not misinformation.
Mistake with misinformation
Correct: Disinformation is intentional deception; misinformation is unintentional error.
Practice Quiz: disinformation or misinformation?
Choose the word that best completes each real example sentence.
Question 1
False information spread on purpose to trick people is called _____.
Question 2
Political _____ campaigns aim to influence voter behavior.
Question 3
Detecting and countering foreign _____ requires sophisticated monitoring systems.
Pick at least one answer, then press Check answers to see how you did.
You scored 0 out of 3
Frequently Asked Questions About disinformation vs misinformation
What’s the difference between “disinformation” and “misinformation”?
Disinformation is intentionally false; misinformation is false but not necessarily deliberate.
When should I use “disinformation”?
Use for false information deliberately created to deceive, not simple mistakes.
When should I use “misinformation”?
Use for false information that is genuinely mistaken, not maliciously created.
How can I remember disinformation vs misinformation?
Misinformation = mistaken (no bad intent); disinformation = deliberate deception.
Is it “disinformation” or “misinformation” in example sentences?
Use the quiz above to test the pair with real example sentences from the available word data.