misunderstood

American  

[mis-uhn-der-stood] / ˌmɪs ʌn dərˈstʊd /

adjective

1. improperly understood or interpreted.

2. not appreciated.

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misunderstood British  

/ ˌmɪsʌndəˈstʊd /

adjective

1. not properly or sympathetically understood

   a misunderstood work of art

   a misunderstood adolescent

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Other Word Forms

• half-misunderstood adjective
• unmisunderstood adjective

Etymology

Origin of misunderstood

First recorded in 1585–95; mis- ¹ + understood

Example Sentences

In the case of pet-food purveyor Freshpet —our worst pick, with a decline of 54%—we not only misunderstood the company’s moat but got the timing wrong, too.

From Barron's

Lasting art can be mysterious and often misunderstood; this can also be said of ossuaries.

From Salon

A month later, he told Buzzfeed on a red carpet that he had been misunderstood.

From Los Angeles Times

These differences may help explain why emotional expressions are sometimes misunderstood between the two groups.

From Science Daily

She has spoken of a "problem of understanding and communication" over the recent sending of troops to Greenland by some European countries, including Denmark, but hasn't expanded on what may have been misunderstood.

From BBC