misconstrue

American

[mis-kuhn-stroo, mis-kon-stroo] / ˌmɪs kənˈstru, mɪsˈkɒn stru /

verb (used with object)

misconstrued, misconstruing

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

Synonyms:

misjudge, misapprehend, misread

misconstrue British

/ ˌmɪskənˈstruː /

verb

(tr) to interpret mistakenly

"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 misconstrue

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

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 the end, Kimmel prevailed, returning to his show with an emotional monologue that detailed his suspension, how he felt his words were misconstrued and the importance of free speech.

From Los Angeles Times

All they had going for them, from the point of view of Wall Street financial engineers, was that their financial fates could be misconstrued as uncorrelated.

From Literature

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.

From BBC

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

From The Wall Street Journal

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

From Los Angeles Times

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023