lead someone up the garden path, put someone on the wrong track, pull the wool over someone's eyes

mislead someone astray, mislead someone into doing something, misleading advertising

Formal and Informal Expressions of mislead

In different contexts, you can replace 'mislead' with suitable alternatives. In a more formal setting, 'deceive, delude' is apt. In informal speech or writing, 'trick, fool' is a commonplace synonym.

mislead: Explore its Definition & Usage

mislead Definition

cause (someone) to have a wrong idea or impression about someone or something.

Using mislead: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "mislead" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

Example
The advertisement was intentionally misleading.
Example
Don't be misled by his friendly demeanor.
Example
The map was designed to mislead the enemy.
Example
The politician was accused of misleading the public.

mislead Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for mislead

Antonyms for mislead

Idioms Using mislead

lead someone up the garden path
to deceive or mislead someone
Example
He led me up the garden path with promises of a promotion, but it never materialized.
put someone on the wrong track
to mislead or divert someone from the correct course of action
Example
The false clues put the detectives on the wrong track in their investigation.
pull the wool over someone's eyes
to deceive or mislead someone
Example
The con artist pulled the wool over the victim's eyes and stole their money.

Phrases with mislead

mislead someone astray
to cause someone to go in the wrong direction or make the wrong decision
Example
The false information misled the hikers astray and they got lost in the woods.
mislead someone into doing something
to deceive or trick someone into doing something
Example
The scammer misled the elderly woman into giving away her life savings.
misleading advertising
advertising that is deceptive or untrue
Example
The company was fined for their misleading advertising practices.

Origins of mislead

from mis- 'wrongly' + lead, from Old English lǣdan 'to guide'

📌

Summary: mislead in Brief

To 'mislead' [mɪsˈliːd] is to cause someone to have a wrong idea or impression about someone or something. It can involve deception, trickery, or false information, as in 'The advertisement was intentionally misleading.' 'Mislead' can also be used in phrases like 'mislead someone astray,' meaning to cause someone to go in the wrong direction, and idioms like 'lead someone up the garden path,' implying deception.