mischaracterization

English

Alternative forms

• mischaracterisation (mostly UK)

Etymology

From mischaracterize +‎ -ation.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /mɪsˌkæɹəktəɹ(a)ɪˈzeɪʃən/

  • Audio (Mid-Atlantic US):

    (file)

Noun

mischaracterization (plural mischaracterizations)

1. The act of characterizing something in an inaccurate or misleading way.

   Hypernym: characterization

   Coordinate term: recharacterization

   Near-synonyms: misportrayal, misrepresentation

   • 2007 March 12, Danny Hakim, “Legislature Acts to Restore Spitzer’s Cuts in Health Care”, in The New York Times‎:

     In a statement last month, Mr. Spitzer said, “No amount of distortion, scare tactics and mischaracterization will change the underlying fact that New York’s health care system is broken.”

   • 2022 May 18, Steven Lee Myers, “A Panel to Combat Disinformation Becomes a Victim of It”, in The New York Times‎:

     “It is deeply disappointing,” [Jankowicz] wrote, “that mischaracterizations of the Board became a distraction from the Department’s vital work, and indeed, along with recent events globally and nationally, embodies why it is necessary.”

Related terms

• mischaracterize (verb)