Misdirection (noun)

The act or practice of leading someone in a wrong or mistaken direction, or the state of being led in such a direction.

Origin:

From the prefix "mis-" meaning "wrongly" or "badly" and "direction" meaning "guidance or control".

Examples:

1. The detective suspected that the witnesses were giving him false or misleading information, a form of misdirection.
2. The magician"s misdirection was so convincing that the audience didn"t notice him switching the cards.
3. The company's strategy of misdirection was intended to distract its competitors from its real plans.
4. The misdirection of the funds intended for the school led to the delays in construction.
5. The politician's speeches were full of misdirection, avoiding the real issues and instead focusing on irrelevant topics.