misperception
nounUK /ˌmɪs.pəˈsep.ʃən/
US /ˌmɪs.pɚˈsep.ʃən/
A misperception is when you think you see or understand something, but you are wrong.
The shadow looked like a monster, but it was just a misperception caused by the dark.
RELATED WORDS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. A wrong idea about what something means or how it works.
His misperception of the rules made him play the game incorrectly.
3. A mistaken view of a situation or of another person.
She had a misperception that everyone was laughing at her.
4. An incorrect way of seeing or sensing something.
The mirror gave a misperception of how tall the room really was.