red herring

[red her-ing] / ˈrɛd ˈhɛr ɪŋ /

NOUN

misleading clue

Synonyms

STRONGEST

ploy smokescreen

WEAK

attention-grabber bait commotion curve ball deviation distraction distractor disturbance diversion diversionary tactic false clue false face false trail fool's errand gimmick interruption maneuver wild-goose chase

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But in the case of Iran, the whole exercise is a bit of a red herring.

From Slate • Mar. 11, 2026

Firm jobs growth could also be a "red herring," warned EY-Parthenon chief economist Gregory Daco in a recent note.

From Barron's • Jan. 9, 2026

This subsidy thing is, again, a red herring.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 24, 2025

"That's a red herring," said Mark Watkins, a volunteer on the Isle of Wight for the past 17 years.

From BBC • Sep. 25, 2025

The guidebook full of clues that had led him to Switzerland had been nothing but a red herring.

From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood