Misguided
/ˌmɪsˈɡaɪdɪd/
Definitions
Having or showing faulty judgment or reasoning; misled; based on or produced by mistaken or faulty ideas.
/ˌmɪsˈɡaɪdɪd/
Having or showing faulty judgment or reasoning; misled.
The company made a misguided investment and lost a lot of money.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're trying to help your friend, but you give them the wrong directions. They end up lost! That's being misguided. You *thought* you were helping, but you were wrong.
👶 For kids: When you think something is right, but it's actually wrong. Like thinking it will rain when it's sunny!
More Examples
His misguided loyalty to his friend caused him to make a bad decision.
The project was doomed from the start because of misguided planning.
She realized her initial assessment of the situation was misguided.
How It's Used
"The government's misguided policies led to economic instability."
"She made a misguided assumption about his intentions."
"His misguided attempt to help only made things worse."
Idioms & expressions
misguided missile
An action or attempt that fails to achieve the intended result, often causing unintended harm.
"Their attempt at economic reform was a misguided missile, leading to higher unemployment."
From 'mis-' (wrongly) + 'guided' (led). The word entered English in the 17th century, initially referring to someone led astray, literally or figuratively.
Used from the 17th century onward to describe actions or beliefs based on error or poor judgment. Early examples often referred to those led astray in a literal or spiritual sense.
Memory tip
Think of a hiker taking the wrong trail - misguided.