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

“A male clinician can reduce the fear of being judged or exposed or misunderstood and lower the threshold for exposure,” says Michael Zakalik, a clinical psychologist based in Seattle.

From The Wall Street Journal

In the first letter, he said his words were "misunderstood and misinterpreted by some media organisations", but in the second he acknowledged they were "inappropriate and fell below the standard expected".

From BBC

The company had previously argued that the government's case misunderstood the complexities of the live event sector.

From BBC

Shelley’s story is so moving precisely because it’s tinged with firsthand knowledge of the despair that comes with being misunderstood and othered at no fault of one’s own.

From Salon

There are some pro forma jokes about the sensitivities of the young, with Greg getting into not-very-hot water over misunderstood references to “white whale” and the Bangles’ “Walk Like an Egyptian.”

From Los Angeles Times