misunderstanding

1 of 2

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

misunderstanding

2 of 2

present participle of misunderstand

Synonyms of misunderstanding

Noun

• mistake
• misinterpretation
• misreading
• misconstruction
• incomprehension
• misimpression

Examples of misunderstanding in a Sentence

Noun

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

Noun

Arendt herself complicated matters by calling it journalism instead of philosophy, which added to the misunderstandings. — Literary Hub, 18 Sep. 2026

Ann Marie Lipinski, an august former Tribune editor, once told me that perhaps the purest encapsulation of coastal cities’ misunderstanding of Chicago was in how their media covered Dennis Rodman’s role in the Bulls’ second three-peat. — Will Kamin, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026

Then Murphy takes a swing at a cop when the flatfoot harasses the two of them during a misunderstanding in an alleyway, and he’s arrested. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 16 Sep. 2026

Every handover creates another opportunity for delay, duplication, misunderstanding or cost. — Magda Paslaru, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for misunderstanding

• banding
• branding
• handing
• landing
• sanding
• standing
• stranding
• commanding
• demanding
• disbanding
• expanding
• freestanding

Kids Definition

misunderstanding

noun

mis·​un·​der·​stand·​ing

(ˌ)mis-ˌən-dər-ˈstan-diŋ

1

: a failure to understand

2

: disagreement sense 2b, quarrel