misinterpret

American

[mis-in-tur-prit] / ˌmɪs ɪnˈtɜr prɪt /

verb (used with or without object)

to interpret, explain, or understand incorrectly.

misinterpret British

/ ˌmɪsɪnˈtɜːprɪt /

verb

(tr) to interpret badly, misleadingly, or incorrectly

"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

Other Word Forms

misinterpretable adjective
misinterpretation noun
misinterpreter noun
unmisinterpretable adjective

Etymology

Origin of misinterpret

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

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.

“Users may misinterpret AI-generated content as expert guidance,” they wrote, “potentially resulting in delayed treatment, inappropriate self-care, or misplaced trust in non-validated information.”

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 26, 2026

It may omit relevant information while summarizing, mix up who is speaking and misinterpret context—such as missing nonverbal cues.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 5, 2025

It’s easy for students to misunderstand and misinterpret college award letters that specify the financial aid they will receive.

From MarketWatch • Oct. 31, 2025

Did “Walter Bloomberg” merely misinterpret a Fox News clip?

From Slate • Apr. 8, 2025

Mandarax had been known to garble or misinterpret quest instructions and cues, which could easily lead to fatal mistakes.

From "Ready Player One: A Novel" by Ernest Cline

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