Misguide

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To direct someone away from the correct path or understanding through misleading advice or erroneous information
2. To lead someone astray from the right course or truth by providing false guidance or incorrect information
3. To induce a person to follow an incorrect path or belief by offering misleading instructions or advice

Etymology: "Misguide" is a plain English compound: the prefix "mis-", meaning "wrongly" or "badly," attached to "guide." The prefix traces back through Old English "mis-" and Germanic roots meaning something like "wrong" or "amiss," which is why it appears in so many English verbs such as misjudge, mislead and misspell. The prefix was added to the older verb "guide," which reached English through Old French "guider" and before that the Frankish "wītan," meaning "to show the way," tied to the idea of knowing or seeing the path. The result is a verb that is almost a mirror image of its base. "Guide" means leading someone along the right path, while "misguide" means leading them along the wrong one, so the second word is built by simply reversing the sense through the prefix. The combination is transparent, and its meaning follows directly from the parts.

Synonyms: mislead, deceive, lead astray, fool, misdirect

Antonyms: guide, direct, lead, help, assist