misunderstanding
noun
mis·un·der·stand·ing
(ˌ)mi-ˌsən-dər-ˈstan-diŋ 
1
: a failure to understand : misinterpretation
The instructions were carefully written to prevent misunderstanding.
2
: quarrel, disagreement
an unfortunate misunderstanding between two old friends
Synonyms
Examples of misunderstanding in a Sentence
The instructions are carefully written in order to avoid misunderstanding.
Her comments reflect a misunderstanding of the basic problem.
using clear language to avoid misunderstandings
an unfortunate misunderstanding between old friends
We had our little misunderstandings in the past but we managed to clear them up long ago.
Recent Examples on the Web
But these assumptions reflect a fundamental misunderstanding of how public opinion matters in the Middle East, as well as a deep misreading of what has truly changed since the 2011 uprisings.
—
Marc Lynch, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2024
The lack of disclosure was based on a misunderstanding of county policy, the attorney wrote.
—Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2024
Authorities had detained him in an airport holding cell for immigration-law violations after a misunderstanding over visa requirements.
—Brandon Sneed, Rolling Stone, 16 Apr. 2024
More importantly, Musk’s argument betrays a fundamental misunderstanding of how the immigration system functions.
—Gaby Del Valle, The Verge, 25 Mar. 2024
One of the play’s best scenes captures the early banter of the two men, full of vulgarities, malapropisms and cultural misunderstandings.
—Randy McMullen, The Mercury News, 23 Mar. 2024
Keep your lines of communication open and you’re poised to resolve areas of misunderstanding so both of you reap benefits.
—Debbie Frank, Peoplemag, 10 Apr. 2024
But the course of true love is frustrated by the characters’ cultural misunderstandings and the woman’s initial self-doubt.
—Patrick Frater, Variety, 8 Apr. 2024
One of the biggest misunderstandings that people have when buying these products is that CBD and THC are the same.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
Marc Lynch, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2024
The lack of disclosure was based on a misunderstanding of county policy, the attorney wrote.
—Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2024
Authorities had detained him in an airport holding cell for immigration-law violations after a misunderstanding over visa requirements.
—Brandon Sneed, Rolling Stone, 16 Apr. 2024
More importantly, Musk’s argument betrays a fundamental misunderstanding of how the immigration system functions.
—Gaby Del Valle, The Verge, 25 Mar. 2024
One of the play’s best scenes captures the early banter of the two men, full of vulgarities, malapropisms and cultural misunderstandings.
—Randy McMullen, The Mercury News, 23 Mar. 2024
Keep your lines of communication open and you’re poised to resolve areas of misunderstanding so both of you reap benefits.
—Debbie Frank, Peoplemag, 10 Apr. 2024
But the course of true love is frustrated by the characters’ cultural misunderstandings and the woman’s initial self-doubt.
—Patrick Frater, Variety, 8 Apr. 2024
One of the biggest misunderstandings that people have when buying these products is that CBD and THC are the same.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'misunderstanding.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near misunderstanding
Cite this Entry
“Misunderstanding.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/misunderstanding. Accessed 2 May. 2024.
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