Synonyms of misinterpret

misinterpret

verb

ˌmi-sᵊn-ˈtər-prət 

1

as in to misrepresent

to change so much as to create a wrong impression or alter the meaning of

his note on this passage in the novel seriously misinterprets the author's meaning

Synonyms & Similar Words

• misrepresent
• distort
• misstate
• complicate
• falsify
• confuse
• obscure
• pervert
• twist
• garble
• cook
• slant
• warp
• misrelate
• mistake
• censor
• color
• fudge
• bend
• mistranslate
• disguise
• misspeak
• dissemble
• mask
• belie
• camouflage
• misdescribe
• veil
• lie
• whitewash
• gloss (over)
• mystify
• confound
• equivocate
• prevaricate
• bowdlerize
• mix (up)
• palter
• fib

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• explain
• interpret
• clarify
• illustrate
• clear (up)
• illuminate
• spell out
• decipher

2

as in to misunderstand

to fail to understand the true or actual meaning of

we misinterpreted the directions and ended up on the wrong side of town

Synonyms & Similar Words

• misunderstand
• miss
• misconstrue
• misread
• misperceive
• misapprehend
• mistake
• misjudge
• misconceive
• misknow
• mishear
• misdeem

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• understand
• know
• see
• perceive
• appreciate
• comprehend
• get
• grasp
• catch
• conceive
• penetrate
• apprehend
• fathom
• seize
• make out
• take in
• grok
• savvy

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of misinterpret

The rhythm of the writing shows the staccato nature of those relationships, with their stops and starts, and how sometimes signs of seduction cannot be misinterpreted or not picked up at all. — Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 26 June 2026

The language is being misinterpreted by a hopeful internet, a source with knowledge of the plans told THR. — Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 25 June 2026

That’s kind of a thing that’s misinterpreted. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 17 June 2026

Not to be misinterpreted (and to keep with the interview motif), Lestat also invites Daniel (Eric Bogosian) to shoot a documentary of the band’s first tour. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 7 June 2026