misunderstand
verb
mis·un·der·stand
(ˌ)mi-ˌsən-dər-ˈstand 
misunderstood
(ˌ)mi-ˌsən-dər-ˈstu̇d
; misunderstanding
; misunderstanding
Synonyms
Examples of misunderstand in a Sentence
Don't misunderstand me—I'm not criticizing your decision.
He feels that the critics have completely misunderstood his movies.
She expressed herself in clear terms that no one could misunderstand.
Recent Examples on the Web
But that assumption badly misunderstands the power-hungry nature of the Chinese Communist Party and the lessons of history.
—
Michael Gallagher, WSJ, 28 Nov. 2023
Yet to assume a cease-fire would hold, or that Russia would ever stop trying to undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty, misunderstands Moscow’s objectives and, with it, Russia’s way of war.
—Bob Seely, Foreign Affairs, 24 Nov. 2023
Answer: Many people misunderstand how survivor benefits work.
—Liz Weston, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Sep. 2023
This loophole could be a release valve for my frustration over our short-sighted medical system that misunderstands obesity as a disease.
—Jody Dushay, STAT, 15 Sep. 2023
The Israeli intelligence apparatus may have misunderstood Hamas’s intentions, misread the context of crucial leads, been distracted by Israel’s political efforts with Saudi Arabia, or been grappling with domestic challenges.
—Matt Burgess, WIRED, 8 Oct. 2023
What do people often misunderstand about voice-over work?
—Kailyn Brown, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2023
Think of it as a flavor enhancer, much like equally beloved, often misunderstood MSG.
—Julie Harans, Bon Appétit, 14 Sep. 2023
To ignore it, or to understand it through Cold war clichés, would be to misunderstand German history as a whole.
—Samuel Clowes Huneke, The New Republic, 22 Sep. 2023
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Michael Gallagher, WSJ, 28 Nov. 2023
Yet to assume a cease-fire would hold, or that Russia would ever stop trying to undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty, misunderstands Moscow’s objectives and, with it, Russia’s way of war.
—Bob Seely, Foreign Affairs, 24 Nov. 2023
Answer: Many people misunderstand how survivor benefits work.
—Liz Weston, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Sep. 2023
This loophole could be a release valve for my frustration over our short-sighted medical system that misunderstands obesity as a disease.
—Jody Dushay, STAT, 15 Sep. 2023
The Israeli intelligence apparatus may have misunderstood Hamas’s intentions, misread the context of crucial leads, been distracted by Israel’s political efforts with Saudi Arabia, or been grappling with domestic challenges.
—Matt Burgess, WIRED, 8 Oct. 2023
What do people often misunderstand about voice-over work?
—Kailyn Brown, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2023
Think of it as a flavor enhancer, much like equally beloved, often misunderstood MSG.
—Julie Harans, Bon Appétit, 14 Sep. 2023
To ignore it, or to understand it through Cold war clichés, would be to misunderstand German history as a whole.
—Samuel Clowes Huneke, The New Republic, 22 Sep. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'misunderstand.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of misunderstand was
in the 13th century
Articles Related to misunderstand
Dictionary Entries Near misunderstand
Cite this Entry
“Misunderstand.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/misunderstand. Accessed 7 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
misunderstand
verb
mis·un·der·stand
(ˌ)mis-ˌən-dər-ˈstand
misunderstood
-ˈstu̇d
; misunderstanding
; misunderstanding
1
: to fail to understand
2
: to interpret incorrectly
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