misapprehend

American  

[mis-ap-ri-hend] / ˌmɪs æp rɪˈhɛnd /

verb (used with object)

1. to misunderstand.

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misapprehend British  

/ ˌmɪsæprɪˈhɛnd /

verb

1. (tr) to misunderstand

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Other Word Forms

• misapprehensiveness
  noun
• misapprehensive
  adjective
• misapprehendingly
  adverb
• misapprehensively
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of misapprehend

First recorded in 1645–55; mis- ¹ + apprehend

Explanation

Misapprehend is a verb that means to misunderstand. One place you definitely don't want to misapprehend instructions is on the plane when you're getting ready to skydive for the first time! The word misapprehend is sometimes used as a synonym for the word misunderstand, so you can use it in a similar way, but more for misunderstanding meaning than mishearing. Since apprehend means to grasp or catch, misapprehend can likewise mean to not grasp knowledge or information. For example, if someone is speaking in scientific lingo about acrocentric chromosomes and locus heterogeneity, and you don't understand what they're talking about, you might ask them to clarify in different terms so you don't misapprehend what they're saying.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

misapprehend

Americans, who usually think the world revolves around economics, consistently misapprehend how revolutionaries embrace tumult.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 23, 2026

When Kavanaugh briefly touched on history, it was only to make a comment that seemed to misapprehend its significance here.

From Slate ● Dec. 11, 2025

So many coaches misapprehend the nature of real authority.

From Washington Post ● Dec. 23, 2021

They misapprehend the war by looking back only a few decades.

From New York Times ● Jan. 20, 2012

Mr. Wilkes, I do not propose to bandy words, and when I have once pointed out that you entirely misapprehend the situation on that subject I have done.

From A Master of Deception by Richard Marsh