# misguided

/mɪsˈɡaɪdɪd/ (US) · /mɪsɡˈaɪdɪd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/misguided
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. based on bad judgment

adjective · CEFR B2

describes an idea or plan that is wrong because it was not thought through properly.

For teachers: characterised by poor judgment or a lack of foresight; often used to describe plans or policies that are ill-conceived.

- The company's misguided attempt to save money actually cost them more in the long run.
- The government's misguided policy on urban development ignored the immediate needs of the local community in favour of aesthetic appeal.

Usage: Often used to describe abstract nouns like 'attempt', 'effort', 'policy', or 'notion'.

### 2. having the wrong idea

adjective · CEFR B2

describes a person who is mistaken or has been led to believe something that is not true.

For teachers: having or showing faulty judgment or reasoning; misled by incorrect information or bad advice.

- He was misguided in thinking that he could finish the project without any help.
- Though his intentions were noble, he was misguided in his belief that a single speech could resolve decades of social conflict.

Usage: Frequently follows the verb 'to be' and is often followed by 'in' plus a gerund or 'to' plus an infinitive.

Teaching tip: Teachers should note that this word often implies the person had good intentions but simply made a mistake in their reasoning.

## Examples

- His misguided attempt to help only made the problem worse.
- The company's misguided marketing strategy failed to account for the cultural preferences of the local audience.
- While the policy was born from a genuine desire to reduce poverty, critics argued it was a misguided approach that ignored the underlying economic realities of the region.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.