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

• incomprehension
• misapprehension
• misconstruction
• misconstruing
• misimpression
• misknowledge
• misreading
• misunderstanding

Examples of misinterpretation in a Sentence

his misinterpretation of the ambiguously worded instructions was hardly his fault

Recent Examples on the Web

This practice often reveals misinterpretations that would otherwise go undetected. —Anna Barnhill, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025

Whatever the case, this is a low-energy day subject to confusion and misinterpretations. —Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 28 May 2025

However, no language in the treaty discusses climate change, causing opponents to criticize the Court of overreach and misinterpretation of the law. —Jon McGowan, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025

Don’t leave room for misinterpretation—have the conversation in person. —Julia Korn, Forbes, 11 Mar. 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