misunderstand
verb
mis·un·der·stand
(ˌ)mi-ˌsən-dər-ˈstand 
misunderstood
(ˌ)mi-ˌsən-dər-ˈstu̇d
; misunderstanding
; misunderstanding
1
: to fail to understand
I misunderstood the message.
2
: to interpret incorrectly
I think you misunderstood my intentions.
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
Having built multibillion-dollar companies, often at a young age, their self-confidence frequently leads them to underestimate the complexities of public policy, to misunderstand public opinion, and to overestimate their ability to push large changes through quickly.
—
Walter Russell Mead, The Atlantic, 24 Jan. 2026
Still, women misunderstand symptoms, feel uncertain, and face an identity shift, according to a survey exclusively obtained by Flow Space.
—Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 21 Jan. 2026
That, too, misunderstands the law.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 21 Jan. 2026
This could look like a confrontation that clears the air once and for all or a decision to stop explaining yourself to people committed to misunderstanding you.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 19 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for misunderstand
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Walter Russell Mead, The Atlantic, 24 Jan. 2026
Still, women misunderstand symptoms, feel uncertain, and face an identity shift, according to a survey exclusively obtained by Flow Space.
—Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 21 Jan. 2026
That, too, misunderstands the law.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 21 Jan. 2026
This could look like a confrontation that clears the air once and for all or a decision to stop explaining yourself to people committed to misunderstanding you.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 19 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for misunderstand
Cite this Entry
“Misunderstand.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/misunderstand. Accessed 25 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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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