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.

A smile thrown in her direction during a parade honoring a visiting king and his princess daughter, a marvelously flighty Miriam Hopkins, almost causes an international incident after the gesture is misinterpreted.

From The Wall Street Journal

She would later say her comments were misinterpreted.

From Barron's

An apology letter written by Kuppuswamy was also submitted to the tribunal, "however, this letter... did not accept any fault but rather apologised if anyone had 'misinterpreted' his actions or intentions as inappropriate or overfamiliar".

From BBC

In an interview included in the documentary, Smith said the gesture by him and Carlos was often misinterpreted.

From Los Angeles Times

Given that your relationship is not on the best terms, breaching this subject could be misinterpreted as tossing red meat at the bear rather than avoiding the bear.

From MarketWatch

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