Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Wrong in opinion or judgment: Describes an action, belief, or person that is based on or results from faulty thinking, incorrect information, or poor judgment.
   • Poorly conceived or thought out: Describes a plan, idea, or effort that is fundamentally flawed or not well-considered.

Usage

The adjective "misguided" is used to describe something that is incorrect or unwise, often despite good intentions. It typically implies that the error stems from a lack of proper understanding, information, or foresight.

Examples

• Adjective:
  • His attempt to fix the engine himself was a misguided effort that caused more damage.
  • She held the misguided belief that the project would be easy.
  • The charity's misguided policies failed to help the people they intended to serve.

Advanced Usage

• "to be misguided in something": to be wrong or mistaken in a particular belief or action.
  • He was misguided in his assumption that everyone would agree.
• "a misguided attempt": an effort that is well-intentioned but wrong or foolish.
  • It was a misguided attempt at humor that offended many people.

Variants and Related Words

• Misguide (verb, less common): To lead or guide wrongly; to influence into error.
  • False promises misguided the public.
• Misguidance (noun): The act of misleading or the state of being misled.
  • The project's failure was due to misguidance from its leaders.

Synonyms

• Mistaken: Wrong in one's opinion or judgment.
• Ill-advised: Not wise or sensible; foolish.
• Misled: Led into error or wrong action.
• Misconceived: Badly planned or designed based on a wrong understanding.

Antonyms

• Well-advised: Based on wise or sensible counsel.
• Informed: Having or showing knowledge of a subject or situation.
• Judicious: Having, showing, or done with good judgment or sense.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• A misguided soul: A person who is fundamentally wrong or lost in their beliefs or path (often with a sympathetic tone).
  • He's just a misguided soul who needs proper guidance.
• Act on misguided principles: To behave according to beliefs that are incorrect.
  • The regime acted on misguided principles of racial purity.

Adjective

1. wrong in e.g. opinion or judgment
   • well-meaning but misguided teachers
   • a mistaken belief
   • mistaken identity
2. poorly conceived or thought out
   • an ill-conceived plan to take over the company