misunderstanding
noun
mis·un·der·stand·ing
(ˌ)mi-ˌsən-dər-ˈstan-diŋ 
1
: a failure to understand : misinterpretation
The instructions were carefully written to prevent misunderstanding.
2
: quarrel, disagreement
an unfortunate misunderstanding between two old friends
Examples of misunderstanding in a Sentence
The instructions are carefully written in order to avoid misunderstanding.
Her comments reflect a misunderstanding of the basic problem.
using clear language to avoid misunderstandings
an unfortunate misunderstanding between old friends
We had our little misunderstandings in the past but we managed to clear them up long ago.
Recent Examples on the Web
This prevents misunderstandings and keeps the owner-rental relationship healthy.
—
Kathy Barnes, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Apr. 2026
Mohamad Faisal, one of Shah Alam's children, previously told Reuters that his father's arrest about a year ago was due to a misunderstanding with police officers.
—Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
For husky owners, the incident served as a reminder that, while the breed is beloved for its personality, those operatic howls can sometimes cause real-world misunderstandings—even police visits.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
Art Tinoco, the Riverside County registrar of voters, disputed the group’s allegations, saying they were based on a misunderstanding of raw data that had not been fully processed.
—Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for misunderstanding
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Kathy Barnes, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Apr. 2026
Mohamad Faisal, one of Shah Alam's children, previously told Reuters that his father's arrest about a year ago was due to a misunderstanding with police officers.
—Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
For husky owners, the incident served as a reminder that, while the breed is beloved for its personality, those operatic howls can sometimes cause real-world misunderstandings—even police visits.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
Art Tinoco, the Riverside County registrar of voters, disputed the group’s allegations, saying they were based on a misunderstanding of raw data that had not been fully processed.
—Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for misunderstanding
Cite this Entry
“Misunderstanding.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/misunderstanding. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
