misconstrue

[mis-kuhn-stroo, mis-kon-stroo]

verb (used with object)

misconstrued, misconstruing 

1. to misunderstand the meaning of; take in a wrong sense; misinterpret.

   Synonyms: misjudge, misapprehend, misread

misconstrue

/ ˌmɪskənˈstruː /

verb

1. (tr) to interpret mistakenly

Word History and Origins

Origin of misconstrue¹

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; mis- ¹, construe

Example Sentences

He had claimed people held grudges and insisted he was a "good priest," saying the accusations were misconstrued and part of a conspiracy, said Det Con Renwick.

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Companies have quickly responded, though some people say their comments have been misconstrued.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The 57-year-old comedian has long felt his statements about the Kirk shooting were misconstrued.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"There is less room for error and you don't want to say anything that could be misconstrued and that can be hard to think about constantly," she says.

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In a statement, a lawyer for the city contends that the ruling “misconstrues the city’s obligations.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• distort 
• exaggerate 
• misinterpret 
• misread 
• misunderstand 
• pervert