misinterpretation

noun

mis·​in·​ter·​pre·​ta·​tion ˌmi-sᵊn-ˌtər-prə-ˈtā-shən 

-pə-

plural misinterpretations

: failure to understand or interpret something correctly

an error caused by misinterpretation of the rules

: a mistaken interpretation

… it soon becomes obvious to workers in the field that misunderstandings and misinterpretations of conventional terms seriously interfere with scholarly communication.

—Juergan Eichhoff

Synonyms

• misunderstanding

Examples of misinterpretation in a Sentence

his misinterpretation of the ambiguously worded instructions was hardly his fault

Recent Examples on the Web

Some conservative Protestants have claimed over the years that LDS Church members are not actual Christians, claims its members said are rooted in misinterpretations of their faith. —Niraj Warikoo, Freep.com, 29 Sep. 2025

However, today these are the very areas that are subject to confusion, misinterpretation and possible deceit. —Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 29 Sep. 2025

This misinterpretation is quite common because doctors don’t want to overmedicate with powerful drugs. —Bryant Stamford, Louisville Courier Journal, 18 Sep. 2025

Independent fact-checkers said that was a misinterpretation of the findings. —Katherine Dillinger, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1538, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for misinterpretation

• acclimatisation
• acclimatization
• acidification
• actualization
• annualization
• autocorrelation
• autoregulation
• beatification
• beneficiation
• biodegradation
• biotransformation
• bureaucratization