misunderstood

[mis-uhn-der-stood]

adjective

1. improperly understood or interpreted.

2. not appreciated.

misunderstood

/ ˌmɪsʌndəˈstʊd /

adjective

1. not properly or sympathetically understood

   a misunderstood work of art

   a misunderstood adolescent

Other Word Forms

• half-misunderstood adjective
• unmisunderstood adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of misunderstood¹

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

Example Sentences

He isn't misunderstood because he behaves badly; he's misunderstood because his existence unsettles old certainties about who gets to define respect.

From BBC

The 20-year-old says she has felt misunderstood ever since as someone with the condition, and that she has been mocked throughout her life.

From BBC

"It roughly affects about one in ten women and those assigned female at birth, but it's quite a misunderstood and under diagnosed condition," she said.

From BBC

What moves me most is how he gives voice to experiences that are often overlooked or misunderstood, particularly around deafness, identity and communication.

From Los Angeles Times

Justice Secretary Angela Constance said it was a "widely misunderstood" verdict that "traumatises" victims and leaves a "lingering stigma on the accused".

From BBC