mislead

To make someone believe something that is not true, deliberately or by mistake.

• The figures may mislead readers.
• He misled us about his experience.
• Did the advertisement mislead you into buying it?

How to use it: mislead someone about something (The advert misled customers about the price.); mislead someone into doing something (The label misled me into thinking the drink contained no sugar.)

Similar words: deceive, give a false impression

Common phrases: mislead the public, mislead someone about, mislead someone into

To cause someone to go in the wrong direction.

• The sign misled us.
• An outdated map misled the walkers into a dead end.
• The guide had misled the group away from the main path.

Similar words: misdirect, lead astray

Common phrases: mislead a traveler, mislead someone eastward, mislead the group

To trick someone into doing something wrong or bad.

• Bad companions can mislead the young.
• The leader misled his followers into attacking innocent people.
• She feared that false teachers would mislead the children into sin.

How to use it: mislead someone into doing something (He misled his followers into committing crimes.)

Similar words: lead astray, corrupt

Common phrases: mislead the young, mislead someone into, mislead innocent people