misunderstood

adjective

mis·​un·​der·​stood (ˌ)mi-ˌsən-dər-ˈstu̇d 

1

: wrongly or imperfectly understood

a misunderstood question

Mondegreens are misunderstood lyrics, and when we asked our readers for their favorites, not surprisingly the most familiar ones got multiple votes.

—Dave Tianen

2

: not sympathetically appreciated

[Shorty] Rossi has become a name in the animal rescue community for his fierce advocacy for the interests of the pit bull, which he sees as a misunderstood breed.

—Publisher's Weekly

He speaks proudly and protectively of his two directing efforts as if they were beloved but misunderstood children, and he's touchingly eager to explain their unappreciated virtues.

—Ron Rosenbaum

Examples of misunderstood in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Jesus and Antonio are insulting Veejay, Veejay is insulting Antonio and Jesus, the twins are getting more heated, and Veejay, in her most vulnerable moment all season, weeps to Christian about feeling misunderstood. —Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2025

Debate’s cut and thrust can be easily misunderstood by the young, Ibsen says—especially by those who turn its violence on themselves. —Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2025

This is a look into the often-misunderstood lives of a care partner/provider. —Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2025

The firm said investors are not aware enough of how the firm generates its revenue and that the stock is misunderstood. —Michael Bloom, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1583, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for misunderstood

• unlikelihood
• adulthood
• babyhood
• brotherhood
• cottonwood
• fatherhood
• firewood
• fuelwood
• hardihood
• ironwood
• leatherwood
• likelihood