1
as in mistake
a failure to understand correctly
people once thought that there were canals on Mars because of a common misunderstanding of a report by an Italian astronomer
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dispute
an often noisy or angry expression of differing opinions
tried to resolve their misunderstandings peacefully
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in missing
to fail to understand the true or actual meaning of
you misunderstood that poem because you took everything so literally
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of misunderstanding
Leonard David, Space.com, 16 May 2025
After the game, Nuno’s explanation for Awoniyi being shown back onto the pitch after his collision was that there had been a misunderstanding and miscommunication.
—Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 15 May 2025
In this instance there was a weird misunderstanding about which some of the people on the WGA Board chose to assume the worst.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 10 May 2025
However, after a misunderstanding possibly stemming from his hat, a spear was thrown which was then met by musketfire, luckily ending in no deaths, according to Powell.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for misunderstanding
Noun
The report also calls for the creation of a space hotline with China, to be used to lower the risks of miscalculation or misunderstanding as the U.S. and China continue to militarize Earth's orbit.
—Leonard David, Space.com, 16 May 2025
After the game, Nuno’s explanation for Awoniyi being shown back onto the pitch after his collision was that there had been a misunderstanding and miscommunication.
—Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 15 May 2025
In this instance there was a weird misunderstanding about which some of the people on the WGA Board chose to assume the worst.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 10 May 2025
However, after a misunderstanding possibly stemming from his hat, a spear was thrown which was then met by musketfire, luckily ending in no deaths, according to Powell.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for misunderstanding
Recent Examples of Synonyms for misunderstanding
Noun
-
Playing in the first group, Wong birdied the second hole and made up for his lone mistake (a bogey on No. 3) with birdies at seven and 11 to maintain a slim lead.—
Steve Galluzzo,
Los Angeles Times,
22 May 2025
-
On one hand, speed always enables Chinese players to adapt faster and, if necessary, correct mistakes faster.—
Neil Winton,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2025
Noun
-
Lee-Gardner became involved in the dispute and is accused of hitting the homeowner in her head with a pistol.—
Mike Stunson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 May 2025
-
This dispute is one of several signs revealing a worsening relationship between the two leaders, reflecting broader disagreements on Iran, regional conflicts, economic policy, and diplomatic priorities.—
Amir Daftari,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 May 2025
Verb
-
The bodies of both children missing after a massive fire ripped through a full block of a New Jersey neighborhood earlier this week have been recovered.—
Jessica Schladebeck,
New York Daily News,
11 Apr. 2025
-
That’s the sort of depth the Lions have been missing.—
Colton Pouncy,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Don’t leave room for misinterpretation—have the conversation in person.—
Julia Korn,
Forbes,
11 Mar. 2025
-
All in all, this transit could result in communication breakdowns, misinterpretations or even intense, power plays that bring hidden agendas to light.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
12 May 2025
Noun
-
This wasn’t an idle disagreement: to suspect a conspiracy was to suspect a coverup.—
Daniel Immerwahr,
New Yorker,
19 May 2025
-
However, disagreements on how she would be featured ended without a cover and with the friendship irrevocably broken.—
Lissete Lanuza Sáenz,
StyleCaster,
19 May 2025
Noun
-
Jaques said officers at 7:49 a.m. on Sunday received a complaint from a woman who reported that someone was following her vehicle while waving a gun following an altercation at a local gas station.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
27 May 2025
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Initial data provided by the department suggest that practicing the martial art not only helps boost officers' physical and mental health, but also enables cops to use less force during an arrest or altercation.—
Katja Ridderbusch,
NPR,
26 May 2025
Noun
-
Counsel should try to foresee and prevent any misconstruction.—
Joshua Stein,
Forbes,
15 Mar. 2025
-
Counsel should try to foresee and prevent any misconstruction.—
Joshua Stein,
Forbes,
15 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The defense attorney suggested that Cassie’s rape allegation stemmed from a complicated quarrel playing out as their decade-plus relationship came to an end.—
Victoria Bekiempis,
Vulture,
16 May 2025
-
Other great powers will have their territorial goals and quarrels and this does not normally concern you.—
Frank Lavin,
Forbes.com,
4 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Misunderstanding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misunderstanding. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
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