Definition of "misdirect" [mis•di•rect]

• To aim (a blow or projectile, for example) badly. (verb-transitive)
• To give wrong instructions or directions to. (verb-transitive)
• To put a wrong address on (a piece of mail). (verb-transitive)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "Looks like Another Joe has been brainwashed by the right-whiners, is attempting to misdirect from the topic at hand by regurgitating talking-points, and wants to parade ignorant distractions."
• "David Lightman, Miami Herald, Out of bounds: McCain-Palin misdirect blame for immigration flop"
• "The strategy of misdirect is always the way a good misleading person would function."