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Showing results for incomprehension. Search instead for list+comprehension.
Synonyms

incomprehension

American  
[in-kom-pri-hen-shuhn, in-kom-] / ˌɪn kɒm prɪˈhɛn ʃən, ɪnˌkɒm- /

noun

  1. lack of comprehension or understanding.

    The audience listened politely but with incomprehension.
incomprehension British  
/ ɪnˌkɒm-, ˌɪnkɒmprɪˈhɛnʃən /

noun

  1. inability or failure to comprehend; lack of understanding

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of incomprehension

First recorded in 1595–1605; in- 3 + comprehension

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.

In theory, the line between sanity and insanity, knowledge of the consequences of one’s choices and incomprehension of the line between cause and effect, could be grounds for a rich and nuanced philosophical discussion.

From Slate • Oct. 8, 2023

And as played by De Waele, Rémi, though less front and center, registers a heartrending incomprehension at Léo’s betrayal.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 26, 2023

Pádraic's distress and incomprehension around Colm's rejection allows McDonagh to explore not only the grief experienced when adult friends decouple, but also vicariously the collapse of childhood friendships or family estrangements.

From Salon • Jan. 16, 2023

My school friends and I talk about it now with each other with again - contempt, disbelief and incomprehension that sort of thing happened in plain sight and nothing was done.

From BBC • Jul. 26, 2022

The anticipation there gave way to blank incomprehension and then to pure, unadulterated rage.

From "The Darkest Minds" by Alexandra Bracken

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.