misunderstand

[mis-uhn-der-stand]

verb (used with object)

misunderstood, misunderstanding 

1. to take (words, statements, etc.) in a wrong sense; understand wrongly.

   Synonyms: misinterpret, misapprehend, misconstrue

2. to fail to understand or interpret rightly the words or behavior of.

misunderstand

/ ˌmɪsʌndəˈstænd /

verb

1. to fail to understand properly

Other Word Forms

• misunderstander noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of misunderstand¹

First recorded in 1150–1200, misunderstand is from the Middle English word misunderstanden. See mis- ¹, understand

Example Sentences

However, he became disillusioned when his friend became more and more tyrannical, and after a misunderstanding shoots and kills the Hatter.

From Salon

Evelyn, as the only Deaf artist who has won Grammys, how does the music industry misunderstand what deafness is, as far as what it means for a relationship to music?

From Los Angeles Times

The ambulance service worker was asked why she had not done that, to which she responded: "I don't know why I didn't... it was an error of misunderstanding."

From BBC

“Madison keeps a very busy schedule and, due to a scheduling misunderstanding, did not appear in court this morning,” they shared.

From Salon

Greco, who previously served as the City Hall Asian Affairs adviser and has been in New York City politics for more than a decade, said the hand-off was a cultural misunderstanding.

From Salon

Related Words

• confuse 
• miscalculate 
• misconstrue 
• misinterpret 
• misjudge 
• misread