misunderstood
Americanadjective
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of misunderstood
First recorded in 1585–95; mis- 1 + understood
Explanation
The adjective misunderstood is used to describe someone or something that is not correctly or fully grasped by others. A joke that is misunderstood will likely fall flat, as the audience just doesn't get it. In the most basic sense, the word misunderstood is the past participle of misunderstand. Misunderstood homework instructions will likely result in the students turning in the wrong work. The word misunderstood is more commonly used to describe people who are, or feel, unappreciated because others don't see their true feelings, motives, or brilliance: Think of a misunderstood genius, like Galileo, whose ideas were not appreciated in his own time, or a misunderstood character in a story, whose "good" reasons for doing bad things are not known to the other characters.
Vocabulary lists containing misunderstood
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.
Gangster flicks are perhaps among the most misunderstood movies out there.
From Slate • Jun. 11, 2026
Barclays argues that risks in the individual exchanges are misunderstood, even with the expiration last year of certain subsidies for consumers purchasing those plans.
From Barron's • Jun. 10, 2026
But she says there is much she is proud of too - and Facebook's infamous "move fast and break things" motto was a "misunderstood value in isolation".
From BBC • Jun. 4, 2026
Bill Essayli, the top federal prosecutor in Los Angeles, on Monday appeared to equate all short selling with market manipulation, prompting traders to say that prosecutors misunderstood the activity.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 4, 2026
Shawn would think about what Dad had told him on the phone, and sooner or later he would realize that my denial—my claim that Dad had misunderstood me—was a lie.
From "Educated" by Tara Westover
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
