misunderstanding

noun mis·un·der·stand·ing

|Updated on: 12 Aug 2018

Examples: misunderstanding in a Sentence

Definition of misunderstanding

1 : a failure to understand : misinterpretation

The instructions were carefully written to prevent misunderstanding.

2 : quarrel, disagreement

an unfortunate misunderstanding between two old friends

See misunderstanding defined for English-language learners

See misunderstanding defined for kids

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 of misunderstanding from the Web

Hargan claims the idea that the federal government lost nearly 1,500 children in its custody is based on a misunderstanding of how the government handles unaccompanied minors crossing the border without legal authorization.

— philip athey, azcentral, "Did the federal government really lose 1,500 migrant children?," 12 June 2018
So, what now? There’s a misunderstanding that the repeal of net neutrality will result in immediate and drastic change online.

— farhad manjoo, New York Times, "How Net Neutrality Actually Ended Long Before This Week," 11 June 2018
In addition to wrecking each other multiple times in the 2007 season, the pair agreed much of their feud was the result of misunderstandings and assumptions – particularly the false narrative that Earnhardt helped push Busch out of HMS.

— michelle r. martinelli, For The Win, "Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kyle Busch rehash bitter details of decade-old feud," 18 Apr. 2018
Talking regularly improves understanding and conversely minimizes misunderstandings.

— staff reports, charlotteobserver, "NC Senate candidates: Where they stand on key issues | Charlotte Observer," 17 Apr. 2018
Asked to describe possible misunderstandings Americans may have about China’s use of AI technologies, Lin cited the country’s use of facial recognition for government surveillance.

— jonathan vanian, Fortune, "Computer Tries to Understand the Movie 'Titanic' in Tough Test of Artificial Intelligence," 27 Mar. 2018
Better to eliminate irony altogether than risk some misunderstanding.

— scott roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, "Why an Ambitious New Online Anti-Hate Speech Law Is Backfiring in Germany," 15 Jan. 2018
Another misunderstanding is about how welfare spending relates to economic growth.

— The Economist, "The welfare state needs updating," 12 July 2018
The chapters switch back and forth between their stories, layering deceptions and misunderstandings.

— sam sacks, WSJ, "Fiction: A Depraved and Beautiful Dream of the World," 12 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'misunderstanding.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.