- present participle of misunderstand.
misunderstanding
Americannoun
-
failure to understand correctly; mistake as to meaning or intent.
- Synonyms:
- misconception, error, misapprehension
-
a disagreement or quarrel.
- Synonyms:
- dissension, difficulty, difference, discord
- Antonyms:
- concord
noun
-
a failure to understand properly
-
a disagreement
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of misunderstanding
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English; mis- 1 + understanding
Explanation
A misunderstanding is what happens when you don't comprehend something correctly. It's also another name for a disagreement, like the misunderstanding you and your sister had about whose turn it was to do the dishes. The result of not clearly understanding someone or something is a misunderstanding. A misunderstanding between teammates can lead to dropped passes and lost points, and a misunderstanding of the pool rules can get you benched for doing a cannonball in the shallow end. You can also call a minor argument a misunderstanding.
Vocabulary lists containing misunderstanding
myPerspectives 8.3
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Words with 15 or More Letters, List 1
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Part 1 Vocabulary (Unit 1)
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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.
See Examples For:
Mark Joseph Stern: There has been a lot of misunderstanding about exactly what the liberal justices did in B.P.J., and I want to clear that up.
From Slate ● Jul. 15, 2026
"This story was based on a very basic misunderstanding of accounts and Yes Scotland's financial statements," Jenkins' solicitor Aamer Anwar said.
From BBC ● Jul. 14, 2026
Flock blames the blowback on misunderstanding its technology and disinformation spread by opponents.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 26, 2026
Citrini pushed back, flagging a “fundamental misunderstanding of the business model.”
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 25, 2026
"Your bite was a misunderstanding, Satch," she'd say.
From "Look Both Ways" by Jason Reynolds
Yet despite your best efforts, you will inevitably encounter misunderstandings, confusion and frustration.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 30, 2026
But there are insights about his perception of—and plans for—America to be gained from examining those misunderstandings.
From Slate ● Jun. 11, 2026
Such misunderstandings can leave the caller feeling frustrated and alone.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 1, 2026
In October, Aliyev said that "past misunderstandings between the two countries have been resolved" after meeting Macron in Copenhagen.
From Barron's ● Mar. 16, 2026
And, over the next seventy-two hours, a series of moves and countermoves, mistakes and misunderstandings, would bring the most terrifying moments yet.
From "Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown" by Steve Sheinkin
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.
