What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
lie
Example
He told a lie to get out of trouble. [lie: noun]
Example
She lied about her age to get into the club. [lied: past tense verb]
mislead
Example
The advertisement was designed to mislead customers. [mislead: verb]
Example
The politician's speech was full of misleading statements. [misleading: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Lie is more commonly used than mislead in everyday language. Lie is a more direct and clear term for falsehood, while mislead is often used in more subtle or indirect contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between lie and mislead?
Both lie and mislead are considered formal words and are typically used in serious or professional contexts where honesty and accuracy are important.
