- a wrong or incorrect direction, guidance, or instruction:Unfortunately, his advice on the matter was a misdirection acted upon by numerous state leaders.
- the use of misleading appearances or distraction to prevent detection of one’s true intent, as in a sports play, magic trick, plot twist, or wrongdoing; feint: The film begins with a masterful bit of misdirection, which sets up our expectations only to have them upended by a surprising twist.The media’s unveiling of a scandal at this precise moment is clearly misdirection, which serves both them and the White House well.
- an erroneous charge to the jury by a judge.
