construe

verb

con·strue | \ kən-ˈstrü

construed; construing

Definition of construe

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : to analyze the arrangement and connection of words in (a sentence or sentence part) construe this Latin sentence by Cicero

2 : to understand or explain the sense or intention of usually in a particular way or with respect to a given set of circumstances construed my actions as hostile Her frustration was construed as anger.

intransitive verb

: to construe a sentence or sentence part especially in connection with translating

construe

noun

con·strue | \ ˈkän-ˌstrü

Definition of construe (Entry 2 of 2)

: an act or the result of construing especially by piecemeal translation

Other Words from construe Synonyms & Antonyms Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about construe

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Did You Know?

Construe can usually be translated as "interpret". It's often used in law; thus, an Attorney General might construe the term "serious injury" in a child-abuse law to include bruises, or a judge might construe language about gifts to "heirs" to include spouses. The IRS's construal of some of your activities might be different from your own—and much more expensive at tax time. Construing is also close to translating; so when the British say "public school", for instance, it should be construed or translated as "prep school" in American terms.

Examples of construe in a Sentence

Verb

The way the court construes various words has changed over time. the role of the justices of the Supreme Court in construing the constitution

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Much as Americans delighted in American Pharoah completing the Triple Crown in 2015, the sight of Victor Espinoza whipping the colt 32 times en route to the finish line at Churchill Downs could easily have been construed as animal abuse. — Tim Sullivan, The Courier-Journal, "Horse racing should make whip violations more painful for jockeys," 10 June 2019 In that sense, his actions and comments could be construed not as disloyal, but perhaps even as patriotic. — Jeffrey L. Gould, The New Republic, "Making Sense of Bernie’s Sandinista Sympathies," 6 June 2019 The computerized nature of modern business has eroded human contact, and in a litigious culture an apology can be construed as an admission of guilt. — Paula Marantz Cohen, WSJ, "The Lost Art of the Apology Letter," 2 Aug. 2018 To allow the implantation and development of a fetus that could be construed as a foreign invader, the immune system needs to selectively ease its normal level of vigilance. — Melissa Healy, The Seattle Times, "Pregnancy and childbirth may protect some women from developing dementia," 23 July 2018 James’ comments were construed in some circles as campaigning for Davis. — Brett Martel, The Seattle Times, "Agent: Anthony Davis tells New Orleans that he wants a trade," 29 Jan. 2019 Nor should it be construed as a measurement of the stock market valuation. — Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, "Economists calculate the true value of Facebook to its users in new study," 27 Dec. 2018 But in recent months, after many people construed the policy as an automatic full year, Netflix executives discussed reining it in, people familiar with the situation said. — Joe Flint, WSJ, "At Netflix, Radical Transparency and Blunt Firings Unsettle the Ranks," 25 Oct. 2018 Consequently, the award is construed to be prestigious. — Valerie Strauss, Washington Post, "Who wins the annual Forbes’ “30 Under 30” education awards? New study details telling links between judges and winners," 3 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'construe.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.