misunderstand
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to take (words, statements, etc.) in a wrong sense; understand wrongly.
- Synonyms:
- misinterpret, misapprehend, misconstrue
-
to fail to understand or interpret rightly the words or behavior of.
verb
Other Word Forms
- misunderstander noun
Etymology
Origin of misunderstand
First recorded in 1150–1200, misunderstand is from the Middle English word misunderstanden. See mis- 1, understand
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.
Small misunderstandings would escalate and sometimes their kids wouldn't get along, Rachel says.
From BBC
“I did not resist, I did not impede or assault any agent,” Retes said.”What happened to me that day was not a misunderstanding.
From Los Angeles Times
On requesting the meeting, Lokke said he was hoping to "clear up certain misunderstandings."
From Barron's
For Nuuk and Copenhagen, Wednesday's meeting at the White House is aimed at ironing out "misunderstandings".
From Barron's
While it’s an unappealing display of vanity and a misunderstanding of what news is and does, it’s also serving to keep his name in headlines.
From Salon
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
