as in to miss
to fail to understand the true or actual meaning of
you misunderstood that poem because you took everything so literally
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of misunderstand
Democrats stand for upholding the Constitution and Rule of Law but have been misunderstood by the electorate.
—
Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
Some people take them seriously, while others shrug them off or misunderstand them.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 11 Feb. 2026
Another risk is misunderstanding the premiums tied to silver.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026
To misunderstand Greenland is to misunderstand American defense itself.
—Carol L. Harris, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for misunderstand
Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
Some people take them seriously, while others shrug them off or misunderstand them.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 11 Feb. 2026
Another risk is misunderstanding the premiums tied to silver.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026
To misunderstand Greenland is to misunderstand American defense itself.
—Carol L. Harris, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for misunderstand
Recent Examples of Synonyms for misunderstand
Verb
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Set the scene On the pin-drop quiet rue des Beaux-Arts, along a block full of art galleries, L’Hôtel is easy to miss, which is entirely part of its appeal.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Feb. 2026
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Doncic was not having one of his better shooting nights, having missed 16 of his 24 shots, eight of his 10 three-pointers and even five of his nine free throws en route to 22 points.—
Broderick Turner,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Norwegian coaches don’t tend to mistake early bloomers for talented athletes.—
Don Riddell,
CNN Money,
22 Feb. 2026
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Burke recognized that those who are economically secure often mistake their experience for a universal one and conclude, incorrectly, that no other social or political problems deserve sustained attention.—
Kenneth Zagacki,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The financial consequences of misreading customer sentiment underscore the stakes.—
Betsy Atkins,
Fortune,
22 Feb. 2026
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Perhaps chalk it up to her misreading the room or being overeager.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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This can also help public audiences more easily identify when science is being misconstrued and misinterpreted.—
Kirstin R.W. Matthews,
STAT,
3 Feb. 2026
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Attorney John Dillon, who represents Knife Rights and the other plaintiffs, argued that Friday’s ruling misconstrued the law.—
Alex Riggins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In an interview included in the documentary, Smith said the gesture by him and Carlos was often misinterpreted.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2026
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After Dani misinterpreted a typo Ziv sent her, the two went on a date.—
Nollyanne Delacruz,
Mercury News,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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That is true of leaders anywhere, but Israel’s history has predisposed some of its policymakers to focus excessively on day-to-day survival and to misapprehend or ignore strategic dynamics as a result.—
Andrew P. Miller,
Foreign Affairs,
5 Dec. 2025
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But would her students, turned on everywhere by the dogma of political correctness, misapprehend Haynes’s aim?—
Doreen St. Félix,
The New Yorker,
22 June 2023
Cite this Entry
“Misunderstand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misunderstand. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
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