misunderstand
[ mis-uhn-der-stand ]
/ ˌmɪs ʌn dərˈstænd /
verb (used with object), mis·un·der·stood, mis·un·der·stand·ing.
to take (words, statements, etc.) in a wrong sense; understand wrongly.
to fail to understand or interpret rightly the words or behavior of.
Words nearby misunderstand
mistrust, mistrustful, mistryst, misty, misty-eyed, misunderstand, misunderstanding, misunderstood, misusage, misuse, misuser
Origin of misunderstand
First recorded in 1150–1200, misunderstand is from the Middle English word misunderstanden. See mis-1, understand
SYNONYMS FOR misunderstand
OTHER WORDS FROM misunderstand
mis·un·der·stand·er, nounDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for misunderstand
British Dictionary definitions for misunderstand
misunderstand
/ (ˌmɪsʌndəˈstænd) /
verb -stands, -standing or -stood
to fail to understand properly
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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