misinterpret

[mis-in-tur-prit]

verb (used with or without object)

1. to interpret, explain, or understand incorrectly.

misinterpret

/ ˌmɪsɪnˈtɜːprɪt /

verb

1. (tr) to interpret badly, misleadingly, or incorrectly

Other Word Forms

• misinterpretable adjective
• misinterpretation noun
• misinterpreter noun
• unmisinterpretable adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of misinterpret¹

First recorded in 1580–90; mis- ¹ + interpret

Example Sentences

These officials said further rate cuts could add to the risk of higher inflation becoming sticky and would be misinterpreted as implying a lack of the Fed’s commitment to its 2% inflation target.

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He also said that figure had been widely misinterpreted as 9,000 grooming gang cases and had led to "unbalanced reporting".

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When asked why, they often cite the widely misinterpreted Women’s Health Initiative study, unaware of studies demonstrating health benefits.

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While reflecting the time in which it was written, the Kalven Report has been misinterpreted — its important contingency about threats to a university’s existence has been largely discarded and gone unheeded.

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As rambling as it can be, misinterpreting “Die My Love” as anything other than Lawrence’s is impossible.

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Related Words

• distort 
• err 
• falsify 
• garble 
• miscalculate 
• misread 
• misrepresent 
• misunderstand