misunderstood

adjective

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

Definition of misunderstood

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