misconstrue

[mis-kuhn-stroo, mis-kon-stroo]

verb (used with object)

misconstrued, misconstruing 

1. to misunderstand the meaning of; take in a wrong sense; misinterpret.

   Synonyms: misjudge, misapprehend, misread

misconstrue

/ ˌmɪskənˈstruː /

verb

1. (tr) to interpret mistakenly

Word History and Origins

Origin of misconstrue¹

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; mis- ¹, construe

Example Sentences

The 57-year-old comedian has long felt his statements about the Kirk shooting were misconstrued.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"There is less room for error and you don't want to say anything that could be misconstrued and that can be hard to think about constantly," she says.

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In a statement, a lawyer for the city contends that the ruling “misconstrues the city’s obligations.”

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"This is how it has been misconstrued, or manipulated to make some cheap, political point," said Robinson.

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Sworn declarations filed in federal court Wednesday also protest the claims against some detainees, stating that benign tattoos were misconstrued as evidence of gang affiliation.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• distort 
• exaggerate 
• misinterpret 
• misread 
• misunderstand 
• pervert