Word
misdirected
Phoneticsmis·di·rect·ed, stress on the third syllable
US/mɪsdɪˈɹɛktɪd/
UK/mɪsdaɪɹˈɛktɪd/
Definition
adj. sent to the wrong place or aimed at the wrong person or thing. You use it for mail that goes to the wrong address or feelings like anger that land on the wrong person.
adj. directed to the wrong destination, person, or object; guided by a mistaken aim or understanding. Often describes mail, efforts, or emotions such as anger or criticism that miss their proper target.
Examples
“I get his misdirected mail every week.”
“The office keeps receiving misdirected packages meant for the shop next door.”
“Much of the public outrage after the outage was misdirected, aimed at junior staff rather than the faulty systems that had failed for months.”
Examples
simple
“I get his misdirected mail every week.”
contextual
“The office keeps receiving misdirected packages meant for the shop next door.”
complex
“Much of the public outrage after the outage was misdirected, aimed at junior staff rather than the faulty systems that had failed for months.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “misdirected” in context.
Verb
01. be misdirected
“Sorry, my letter was misdirected to your old address.”
verb + adj
02. consider misdirected
“The court considered her anger at the witness misdirected.”
verb + adj
03. misdirected at
“Much of his anger was misdirected at his family.”
adj + prep
Adjective
04. badly misdirected
“His criticism was badly misdirected and hurt innocent colleagues.”
adv + adj
05. completely misdirected
“The public anger about the delay was completely misdirected.”
adv + adj
06. deeply misdirected
“Their loyalty to the corrupt leader was deeply misdirected.”
adv + adj
Noun
07. misdirected anger
“He took out his misdirected anger on his friends.”
adj + noun
08. misdirected criticism
“The coach faced misdirected criticism after the defeat.”
adj + noun
09. misdirected effort
“Without a plan, it was a misdirected effort that wasted time.”
adj + noun
10. misdirected letter
“I received a misdirected letter meant for my neighbour.”
adj + noun
11. a badly misdirected effort
“The campaign was a badly misdirected effort that missed young voters.”
12. anger was misdirected at
“His anger was misdirected at the volunteers, not the organisers.”
Usage
Often placed before nouns such as anger, criticism, or mail; also used after be.
Real-World Examples
“The fans’ anger is understandable enough, even if it is often misdirected.” “The sense of grievance may be misdirected, but it is undeniably real.” Synonyms
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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