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

Instead, with the Cubs facing a one-run deficit, Taylor misread Pete Crow-Armstrong’s liner to Montgomery. — Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026

Built In One Of The World’s Toughest Markets Japan’s reputation for caution is misread, Ooi says. — Jurin Ai Contributor, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

In the 62nd minute, Miami goalkeeper Rocco Rios-Novo misread a goal kick from Schwake and fell over, which allowed Mukhtar to gain control of the loose ball and extend Nashville's lead to 4-1. — CBS News, 16 Aug. 2026

With two outs in the bottom of the ninth, right fielder Jung Hoo Lee appeared to misread what should’ve been an inning-ending fly out off the bat of Duran. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 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