Comment by m10i
3 hours ago
> The definition of misleading is a true fact that is presented in a way to lead you to a false conclusion.
According to Merriem-Webster, which defines "mislead" as the following:
1. (transitive verb) to lead in a wrong direction or into a mistaken action or belief often by deliberate deceit
2. (intransitive verb) to lead astray; give a wrong impression
Presenting a "true fact" is optional when misleading someone.
Uh, you seem to be right. I can't check oxford to confirm because there's a paywall, apparently.
The mental model I've always been taught is:
False, well intended -> mistake
False, bad intention -> lie
True, bad intention -> misleading
Bad intention, regardless of truth -> deceitful
The problem of classifying all bad intentioned statements as misleading is that it leaves you without a way to express "true +bad intention". While for generic bad intentioned statements regardless of truth we already have a word (deceit).