misread

verb

mis·​read ˌmis-ˈrēd How to pronounce misread (audio)
misread ˌmis-ˈred How to pronounce misread (audio) ; misreading ˌmis-ˈrē-diŋ How to pronounce misread (audio)
Synonyms of misreadnext

transitive verb

1
: to read incorrectly
2
: to misinterpret in or as if in reading
… totally misread the lesson of history …Christopher Hollis

Examples of misread in a Sentence

I guess I misread the instructions. They have misread the lessons of the past. Politicians may have misread the mood of the public. I badly misread the situation.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Leaders sometimes misread this quiet as maturity. Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026 Both Powell and the Biden White House misread the COVID recession as similar to the 2008 mortgage meltdown. Roger Lowenstein, The Atlantic, 16 Jan. 2026 For Holmes and many Angelenos, the arrival of Noma feels like an outsider misreading the room. Brock Keeling, Daily News, 16 Jan. 2026 Share the plan in writing so no one misreads it. Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 14 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for misread

Word History

First Known Use

1658, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of misread was in 1658

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Misread.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/misread. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.

Kids Definition

misread

verb
mis·​read (ˈ)mis-ˈrēd How to pronounce misread (audio)
misread -ˈred How to pronounce misread (audio) ; misreading -ˈrēd-iŋ How to pronounce misread (audio)
1
: to read incorrectly
2
: to misinterpret in or as if in reading

More from Merriam-Webster on misread

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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