misread

verb

mis·​read ˌmis-ˈrēd 

misread ˌmis-ˈred  ; misreading ˌmis-ˈrē-diŋ 

transitive verb

1

: to read incorrectly

2

: to misinterpret in or as if in reading

… totally misread the lesson of history …

—Christopher Hollis

Synonyms of misread

• misunderstand

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

In marketing science, one flawed release can misread performance signals or optimize toward the wrong outcome. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

Veteran French defender Lucas Digne misread the ball and challenged a ball on a cross, but kicked Lamine Yamal instead, committing a foul and giving Spain a penalty kick in the 22nd minute. — Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 19 July 2026

Tehran will keep arming itself against disarmament, Washington will misread its leverage, and the next ceasefire will be just another interlude rather than a path toward any lasting exit from these wars. — Sanam Vakil, Time, 16 July 2026

Paramount says the lawsuit misreads the facts and antitrust law. — Brittney Melton, NPR, 14 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1658, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for misread

• accede
• agreed
• airspeed
• alkyd
• bindweed
• chickweed
• concede
• decreed
• duckweed
• exceed
• flaxseed
• impede

Kids Definition

misread

verb

mis·​read (ˈ)mis-ˈrēd 

misread -ˈred  ; misreading -ˈrēd-iŋ 

1

: to read incorrectly

2

: to misinterpret in or as if in reading