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
People keep either misunderstanding or forgetting that there are not one but two revolutions going on here, the second being accelerated computing.
—
Jim Cramer, CNBC, 4 Jan. 2026
But people also misunderstand sharia and how it is applied, according to the Council on Foreign Relations.
—Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Jan. 2026
That demand ignores long-standing practice, misunderstands the Bears’ legal obligations and risks undermining one of Illinois’ most important economic assets.
—Don Dewitte, Chicago Tribune, 1 Jan. 2026
Well-meaning people who try to control another person’s grief may misunderstand that grief is a singular experience or may be unwittingly trying to assuage their own discomfort.
—Charles Trepany, USA Today, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for misunderstand
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Jim Cramer, CNBC, 4 Jan. 2026
But people also misunderstand sharia and how it is applied, according to the Council on Foreign Relations.
—Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Jan. 2026
That demand ignores long-standing practice, misunderstands the Bears’ legal obligations and risks undermining one of Illinois’ most important economic assets.
—Don Dewitte, Chicago Tribune, 1 Jan. 2026
Well-meaning people who try to control another person’s grief may misunderstand that grief is a singular experience or may be unwittingly trying to assuage their own discomfort.
—Charles Trepany, USA Today, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for misunderstand
Cite this Entry
“Misunderstand.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/misunderstand. Accessed 6 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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