Misinformation vs. Disinformation

Misinformation

/ˌmɪsɪnfəˈmeɪʃən/

False or incorrect information that is spread, often unintentionally.

Examples:

The website was notorious for spreading misinformation.Despite corrections, the misinformation persisted.Misinformation can have serious societal impacts.

Synonyms:

disinformationfalsehoodinaccuracy

Antonyms:

informationfacttruth

Disinformation

/ˌdɪsɪnfəˈmeɪʃən/

False information spread with the intent to deceive or mislead.

Examples:

Governments sometimes spread disinformation during conflicts.Social media platforms combat disinformation actively.Disinformation campaigns aim to mislead the public opinion.

Synonyms:

falsehoodmisinformationdeceptionfabricationpropaganda

Antonyms:

truthfactinformation

Ways to tell them apart:

• Misinformation is incorrect or misleading information spread regardless of intent to deceive.
• Disinformation is deliberately misleading or biased information, manipulated narrative or facts.
• Misinformation can happen by accident, while disinformation requires malicious intent to deceive.
• If you share false facts mistakenly, you're spreading misinformation.
• When you knowingly create a false narrative to mislead people, it's disinformation.