misunderstood

1 of 2

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.

—Publishers 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

misunderstood

2 of 2

past tense and past participle of misunderstand

Examples of misunderstood in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

And Caitlin Kiernan, Flow Space’s editorial director, led a conversation about peptides, one of the wellness world’s buzziest and most misunderstood topics. — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 29 Sep. 2026

Bridget fills Lizzie’s mind with stories of powerful, misunderstood women throughout history who violently took matters into their own hands. — Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2026

Underline supporters have disputed some assertions by Gables officials, suggesting they may have been based on outdated or misunderstood documents. — Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 18 Sep. 2026

Bobby Hill Inimitably voiced by Pamela Adlon, Bobby Hill became a beacon for all artistic, misunderstood kids living in a conservative enclave with their parents. — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1583, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for misunderstood

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