misconstrue

verb

mis·​con·​strue ˌmis-kən-ˈstrü How to pronounce misconstrue (audio)
misconstrued; misconstruing

transitive verb

1
: to interpret (something, such as a statement or action) wrongly : misinterpret
misconstrued her words/meaning/silence
He does not want his real name used in the newspaper because even the most innocent statement could be misconstrued here and lead to trouble, he says.Lynne Duke
I instantly turned away, lest he should see and misconstrue my emotion.Anne Brontë
2
: to misinterpret the meaning, intention, or character of (someone)
… it is the post-Vietnam revisionists who have most ironically misconstrued [Herman] Melville.Frederick Crews
… a sad sack whom no one would misconstrue as charming.Karen Karbo

Examples of misconstrue in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Newsom said his words were being misconstrued, and resisted calls to appoint Lee outright. Erika D. Smith, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2024 However, this desire for more work-life balance could be misconstrued as workers lacking ambition and drive compared to those in the past. Julian Hayes Ii, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2024 However, Maria's words were misconstrued by Sydney, who told Madina that Maria was making fun of her. Glamour, 19 Feb. 2024 Both men are aware that even this limited interaction runs the risk of alienating their followers or of being misconstrued in the press. Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Jan. 2024 This gathering should not be misconstrued as a mere procedural formality. Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 19 Jan. 2024 Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers Don’t misconstrue this as a hot take that a team which won nine regular-season games is about to go all the way. Nate Davis, USA TODAY, 18 Jan. 2024 Hiring managers might fear saying the wrong thing that could be misconstrued as discrimination or unfair practice. Jack Kelly, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2024 The Supreme Court should ensure that advocates and dissidents can continue making passionate and even angry rhetorical challenges to the political status quo without fear that a court could misconstrue their speech and impose penalties or even prison. Thomas A. Berry, National Review, 8 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'misconstrue.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of misconstrue was in the 15th century

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Dictionary Entries Near misconstrue

Cite this Entry

“Misconstrue.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/misconstrue. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

misconstrue

verb
mis·​con·​strue
ˌmis-kən-ˈstrü
: to construe wrongly : misinterpret

More from Merriam-Webster on misconstrue

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