misunderstand
verb (used with object)
to take (words, statements, etc.) in a wrong sense; understand wrongly.
had misunderstood
-
past perfectof misunderstand.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
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.
A department spokeswoman later said the chief had misunderstood a directive.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 8, 2026
Scientists had misunderstood the jugal bone in snakes and snake relatives for generations, and the Najash fossils gave them direct evidence to correct the record.
From Science Daily ● Apr. 24, 2026
But Fazla, unaware of ROYGBIV, had misunderstood the assignment and instead used several shades of brown.
From Slate ● Dec. 4, 2024
Ms Donelan has also since admitted she had been wrong and had "misunderstood" the social media posts.
From BBC ● Mar. 12, 2024
Shawn would think about what Dad had told him on the phone, and sooner or later he would realize that my denial—my claim that Dad had misunderstood me—was a lie.
From "Educated" by Tara Westover
