misunderstood

adjective

mis·​un·​der·​stood (ˌ)mi-ˌsən-dər-ˈstu̇d 

1

: wrongly or imperfectly understood

a misunderstood question

Mondegreens are misunderstood lyrics, and when we asked our readers for their favorites, not surprisingly the most familiar ones got multiple votes.

—Dave Tianen

2

: not sympathetically appreciated

[Shorty] Rossi has become a name in the animal rescue community for his fierce advocacy for the interests of the pit bull, which he sees as a misunderstood breed.

—Publishers Weekly

He speaks proudly and protectively of his two directing efforts as if they were beloved but misunderstood children, and he's touchingly eager to explain their unappreciated virtues.

—Ron Rosenbaum

Examples of misunderstood in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The role of cities in creating the carnage can be misunderstood. — Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 28 June 2026

The transaction would result in a company with reach to 80% of homes, but Biard says the math involved in the cap calculations is widely misunderstood – including by some of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit. — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 26 June 2026

Juan Ayuso feels like he’s been misunderstood, both by the cycling public and his peers. — Chris Marshall-Bell, New York Times, 26 June 2026

In conversations about culture, creativity and innovation, Black American contributions are often celebrated while simultaneously being misunderstood, diluted or folded into broader categories that fail to acknowledge their distinct roots. — Corein Carter, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1583, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for misunderstood

• unlikelihood
• adulthood
• babyhood
• brotherhood
• cottonwood
• fatherhood
• firewood
• fuelwood
• hardihood
• ironwood
• leatherwood
• likelihood