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
Despite some advantages, myths and misunderstandings about creatine's safety profile prevail as experts work to clear up misinformation.
—
Daryl Austin, USA Today, 12 Apr. 2026
But outside of the horror community and cult-movie devotees, there’s still ample misunderstanding about what Faces of Death really is — and that’s not likely to be remedied by the arrival of Daniel Goldhaber’s 2026 film, Faces of Death, now hitting theaters after a lengthy postproduction delay.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 10 Apr. 2026
Tennessee lawmakers passed legislation this week to fix the state’s controversial threats of mass violence law, which had resulted in children being charged with felonies over jokes and misunderstandings.
—Aliyya Swaby, ProPublica, 10 Apr. 2026
Because no two suppliers structure things in exactly the same way, taking a closer look here can prevent misunderstandings down the line.
—Matthew Kayser, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for misunderstanding
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Daryl Austin, USA Today, 12 Apr. 2026
But outside of the horror community and cult-movie devotees, there’s still ample misunderstanding about what Faces of Death really is — and that’s not likely to be remedied by the arrival of Daniel Goldhaber’s 2026 film, Faces of Death, now hitting theaters after a lengthy postproduction delay.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 10 Apr. 2026
Tennessee lawmakers passed legislation this week to fix the state’s controversial threats of mass violence law, which had resulted in children being charged with felonies over jokes and misunderstandings.
—Aliyya Swaby, ProPublica, 10 Apr. 2026
Because no two suppliers structure things in exactly the same way, taking a closer look here can prevent misunderstandings down the line.
—Matthew Kayser, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 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 20 Apr. 2026.
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