Misinformation

From mis- (wrongly) + information. The prefix mis- is from Old English, implying wrongness or error. Distinct from disinformation (deliberately false) and malinformation (true but used harmfully) — a distinction rarely made in public debate.

The word gained enormous political currency in the 2010s as social media amplified false content. Its use became contested when the same label was applied to heterodox scientific claims later proven correct, suppressed political speech, and genuinely false propaganda — without distinguishing between them.