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

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

Etymology

Origin of misapprehend

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

Example Sentences

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

Some people misapprehend it and think of as imitation.

From New York Times • Nov. 17, 2021

“Arguments that it isn’t possible to live without meat—implicitly, because of the role that meat played in human evolution—dramatically misapprehend the relationship between biology and destiny,” Berson writes.

From Slate • Nov. 5, 2019

I suppose your Honor did not misapprehend my last remark and that no one did.

From Report of the Proceedings at the Examination of Charles G. Davis, Esq., on the Charge of Aiding and Abetting in the Rescue of a Fugitive Slave Held in Boston, in February, 1851. by Various