Definition

Verb To state or represent something incorrectly or inaccurately; to give a false or misleading account of a fact, position, or detail.

Usage

The verb "misstate" is used when someone makes an error in reporting or describing facts, figures, or someone else's views. It often implies a mistake, but can also suggest a deliberate distortion. It is a transitive verb and requires a direct object (the thing that is stated incorrectly).

Examples

• The company had to issue a correction after its spokesperson misstated the quarterly earnings during the interview.
• Please be precise with the data; even a small error could misstate the study's conclusions.
• He felt his views had been misstated in the newspaper article.
• It is a serious offense to knowingly misstate information on a legal document.

Advanced Usage

• "To misstate the case": To present an argument or situation in a distorted or incorrect way.
  • The lawyer accused the opposition of misstating the case to sway the jury.

Variants and Related Words

• Misstatement (noun): An instance of stating something incorrectly; an inaccurate statement.
  • The annual report contained several misstatements that affected the financial analysis.

Synonyms

• Misrepresent: To give a false or misleading account of the nature of something. (Often implies a stronger intention to deceive than "misstate".)
• Distort: To twist or misrepresent the meaning, form, or truth of something.
• Falsify: To alter information so as to mislead; to make false.
• Garble: To reproduce (a message, sound, etc.) in a confused and distorted way.

Antonyms

• State correctly
• Report accurately
• Represent truthfully

Related Phrases

• To correct a misstatement: To fix an earlier error in reporting.
  • The editor published a footnote to correct the misstatement from the previous edition.

Verb

1. state something incorrectly
   • You misstated my position