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désinformation
/dezinfɔʁmasjɔ̃/
disinformation
Les réseaux sociaux sont souvent accusés de propager la désinformation.
Social media is often accused of spreading disinformation.
formal
False information deliberately spread to deceive or mislead people, often for political, financial, or social gain.
Le gouvernement a mis en place une cellule pour lutter contre la désinformation en ligne.
The government set up a unit to combat online disinformation.
La désinformation peut influencer les résultats d'une élection.
Disinformation can influence election outcomes.
Often confused with 'misinformation' (false information shared without malicious intent), but 'désinformation' implies deliberate deception.
Collocations
campagne de désinformationdisinformation campaignpropager de la désinformationto spread disinformationcombattre la désinformationto combat disinformation
Pro Tip
Avoid confusion with 'misinformation'
While both terms involve false information, 'désinformation' specifically implies an intent to deceive. 'Misinformation' lacks this malicious intent.
Gold Rule
Context matters
Always consider the context when using 'désinformation'. It is typically used in serious discussions about manipulation, propaganda, or malicious intent.
Word Origin
From French 'dés-' (prefix meaning 'dis-' or 'de-') + 'information'. Coined in the mid-20th century, popularized in the context of Cold War propaganda and later in digital media.
Usage Notes
Commonly used in media literacy, political science, and cybersecurity contexts. The term emphasizes intent to deceive, distinguishing it from 'information erronée' (erroneous information) or 'fake news' (a broader, often informal term).
Word Breakdown
dés-
prefix indicating negation or reversal (like 'dis-' in English)
prefixinformation
information
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