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

• 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

One of these challenges helped William Saliba out of a tricky situation after the defender misread the flight of the ball, while another led to a pass to Odegaard after Viktor Gyokeres lost possession in the centre circle. —Art De Roché, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2025

That said, Team Drake probably misread this record’s hit potential. —Carl Lamarre, Billboard, 5 Aug. 2025

Nab’s investment analysts warn the hobby risks being misread as an investment strategy, particularly as resale values fluctuate wildly. Crescendo or Coda? —Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025

Indeed, the Israeli strikes on Damascus underscore how Netanyahu is not only misreading the situation with his Arab neighbors but potentially with Trump. —Dalia Dassa Kaye, Foreign Affairs, 1 Aug. 2025

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