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
Juergan EichhoffExamples of misinterpretation in a Sentence
his misinterpretation of the ambiguously worded instructions was hardly his fault
Recent Examples on the Web
Adam Serwer on perpetual misinterpretations of Tolkien, and why Elon Musk needs Dungeons and Dragons to be racist.
—Literary Hub, 13 Nov. 2025
Instead of clarifying the path forward, the very words meant to unify teams sow misinterpretation, confusion, and drift.
—Andrea Belk Olson, Harvard Business Review, 10 Nov. 2025
Many women who have endured violence within Christian homes wish the church understood that silence, misinterpretation of Scripture, and misplaced calls for forgiveness can deepen trauma.
—Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
Technocrats once relied on quiet back channels to clarify intent, but now messages move through media, and often conflicting social posts, where misinterpretation thrives.
—Lizzi C. Lee, Time, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for misinterpretation
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Literary Hub, 13 Nov. 2025
Instead of clarifying the path forward, the very words meant to unify teams sow misinterpretation, confusion, and drift.
—Andrea Belk Olson, Harvard Business Review, 10 Nov. 2025
Many women who have endured violence within Christian homes wish the church understood that silence, misinterpretation of Scripture, and misplaced calls for forgiveness can deepen trauma.
—Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
Technocrats once relied on quiet back channels to clarify intent, but now messages move through media, and often conflicting social posts, where misinterpretation thrives.
—Lizzi C. Lee, Time, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for misinterpretation
Cite this Entry
“Misinterpretation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/misinterpretation. Accessed 28 Nov. 2025.
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