misrepresent

verb

mis·​rep·​re·​sent (ˌ)mis-ˌre-pri-ˈzent How to pronounce misrepresent (audio)
misrepresented; misrepresenting; misrepresents
Synonyms of misrepresentnext

transitive verb

1
: to give a false or misleading representation of usually with an intent to deceive or be unfair
misrepresented the facts
2
: to serve badly or improperly as a representative of
misrepresentation
(ˌ)mis-ˌre-pri-ˌzen-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce misrepresent (audio)
-zən-
noun
misrepresentative
(ˌ)mis-ˌre-pri-ˈzen-tə-tiv How to pronounce misrepresent (audio)
adjective

Synonyms of misrepresent

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Examples of misrepresent in a Sentence

The company is accused of misrepresenting its earnings. The movie deliberately misrepresents the facts about her life.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Sánchez said human trafficking organizations misrepresented the decision, triggering the influx. — Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 1 Aug. 2026 By surrounding Brazilian funk’s fundamental elements with uncanny violin samples and disorienting synths, Agazero seems to offer a bleak vision of the way the country’s most popular genre has been distorted and misrepresented overseas. — Amanda Cavalcanti, Pitchfork, 31 July 2026 Court records further allege that Welch used a government computer to create false receipts and misrepresented the purpose of unofficial trips to obtain approval. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 30 July 2026 Then there are fraudsters, compulsive fabricators, and people who misrepresent themselves in major ways. — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 29 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for misrepresent

Word History

First Known Use

1649, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of misrepresent was in 1649

Rhymes for misrepresent

See All Rhymes for misrepresent

Browse Nearby Words

misreport
misrepresent
misrepresentative
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Misrepresent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/misrepresent. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

misrepresent

verb
mis·​rep·​re·​sent (ˌ)mis-ˌrep-ri-ˈzent How to pronounce misrepresent (audio)
: to give a false or misleading idea of
misrepresentation
(ˌ)mis-ˌrep-ri-ˌzen-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce misrepresent (audio)
noun

Legal Definition

misrepresent

transitive verb
mis·​rep·​re·​sent mis-ˌre-pri-ˈzent How to pronounce misrepresent (audio)
: to make a misrepresentation about

intransitive verb

: to make a misrepresentation
misrepresentative
-ˌre-pri-ˈzen-tə-tiv How to pronounce misrepresent (audio)
adjective
misrepresenter noun

More from Merriam-Webster on misrepresent

Nglish: Translation of misrepresent for Spanish Speakers

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