1. the action of giving someone wrong or misleading information about where to go
2. the deliberate diversion of attention away from something, especially as used by magicians or to conceal wrongdoing
3. poor or inappropriate management or control of something

Examples

• The tourist complained about the misdirection he received from the hotel clerk.
• The magician used misdirection to make the audience look away while he switched the cards.
• The politician’s speech was full of misdirection to avoid answering the real questions.
• The company’s misdirection of funds led to serious financial problems.
• She accused him of deliberate misdirection when he gave her the wrong address.
• The detective suspected misdirection was being used to cover up the crime.
• His misdirection of the project caused significant delays.