misinterpret
verb
mis·in·ter·pret
ˌmi-sᵊn-ˈtər-prət 
-pət
misinterpreted; misinterpreting; misinterprets
1
: to explain wrongly
His comment on the speech misinterprets the speaker's meaning.
2
: to understand wrongly
Their silence should not be misinterpreted as consent.
Examples of misinterpret in a Sentence
He claims that his statements have been misinterpreted by the media.
Her silence should not be misinterpreted as consent.
Recent Examples on the Web
Parents can answer questions about their child — such as in the NSCH survey — but can be biased or misinterpret questions, especially if English isn’t their first language.
—
Dallas Morning News, 7 Feb. 2026
The investigators misinterpreted his answers, the attorneys said.
—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
This can also help public audiences more easily identify when science is being misconstrued and misinterpreted.
—Kirstin R.w. Matthews, STAT, 3 Feb. 2026
If your instructions are misinterpreted, do your best to be patient.
—Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for misinterpret
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Dallas Morning News, 7 Feb. 2026
The investigators misinterpreted his answers, the attorneys said.
—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
This can also help public audiences more easily identify when science is being misconstrued and misinterpreted.
—Kirstin R.w. Matthews, STAT, 3 Feb. 2026
If your instructions are misinterpreted, do your best to be patient.
—Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for misinterpret
Cite this Entry
“Misinterpret.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/misinterpret. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
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