misunderstand

verb

(ˌ)mi-ˌsən-dər-ˈstand How to pronounce misunderstand (audio)
Definition of misunderstandnext
as in to miss
to fail to understand the true or actual meaning of you misunderstood that poem because you took everything so literally

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of misunderstand Often in the past intelligence has been equated to technology, but to solely rely on technology as a measure of intelligence misunderstands what intelligence is. — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 27 July 2026 This seemed to misunderstand the limitations of space and time in a museum that has no shortage of Founding Fathers material. — Kelsey Ables, The Atlantic, 23 July 2026 Don’t misunderstand me—Marx, too, recognized the fact that capitalism had, in its fashion, enriched our lives as well. — Literary Hub, 23 July 2026 The good news is that the IRS rarely charges severe penalties for honest mistakes or misunderstanding a complex tax code. — Faith Wakefield, USA Today, 20 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for misunderstand
Recent Examples of Synonyms for misunderstand
  1. miss
  2. mistake
  3. misread
  4. misconstrue
  5. misinterpret
  6. misapprehend
Verb
  • Just a few years earlier, in 2005, the service had missed essentially the same recruiting target by 6,600 soldiers.
    — Steven Beynon, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Reese missed badly on the layup attempt, but her strong play sparked an Atlanta Dream rally before halftime.
    — Michael Cunningham, AJC.com, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of miss
Verb
  • At 6-2, his tall stature shouldn’t be mistaken for a target striker.
    — Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 18 Aug. 2026
  • People often mistake figeater beetles for Japanese beetles, which are a major pest, Windbiel-Rojas said.
    — Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of mistake
Verb
  • Built In One Of The World’s Toughest Markets Japan’s reputation for caution is misread, Ooi says.
    — Jurin AI Contributor, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
  • In the 62nd minute, Miami goalkeeper Rocco Rios-Novo misread a goal kick from Schwake and fell over, which allowed Mukhtar to gain control of the loose ball and extend Nashville's lead to 4-1.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of misread
Verb
  • His attorneys feared Paul was trying to coax Fauci to say something under oath that could be misconstrued and used to prosecute him.
    — Michael Collins, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Sanchez said that the ruling had been intentionally misconstrued by migrant smugglers to convince thousands of people to cross by swimming around the border fence.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of misconstrue
Verb
  • Also, so much communication now takes place in text and email, where tone can be misinterpreted.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Rajesh Exports denied these allegations of wrongdoing and said the discrepancies pointed out by SEBI misinterpret their consolidated global revenue and basic value additions.
    — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of misinterpret
Verb
  • 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
  • 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
Definition of misapprehend

Browse Nearby Words

mistyping
misunderstand
misunderstanding
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Cite this Entry

“Misunderstand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misunderstand. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of misunderstand for Spanish Speakers

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