disinformation
n.n. false information that is shared on purpose to trick people or cause problems. It is different from a simple mistake because the person sharing it knows it is not true.
n. the deliberate dissemination of false or misleading information to deceive or manipulate a target audience. Often used in the context of political propaganda or cyber warfare.
The government is working to stop the spread of disinformation online.
Social media platforms are under pressure to identify and remove disinformation that could influence the upcoming election results.
The rapid spread of disinformation during the crisis led to widespread public panic, forcing health officials to issue daily updates to correct the false narratives circulating on the internet.
Composed of dis- + information. Attested in the sense “intentional misinformation” in English from 1939. A different usage of disinformation occurred earlier, as early as 1887, as a simple synonym of misinformation.