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
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 misunderstanding
Thomas Meaney, New Yorker, 2 July 2025
Understanding the Unique Nature of Art and Collectibles The problem often starts with a misunderstanding.
—Matthew F. Erskine, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Other disputes stem from misunderstandings, with another Newsweek article describing a woman who was accused of falsely claiming an allergy to avoid eating certain foods at a family dinner.
—Matthew Impelli, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 June 2025
Clear communication helped Brandy and Monica work through their misunderstandings.
—Dave Quinn, People.com, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for misunderstanding
Noun
Malaparte’s misunderstanding of his relations with Mussolini cost him much hardship in the following years.
—Thomas Meaney, New Yorker, 2 July 2025
Understanding the Unique Nature of Art and Collectibles The problem often starts with a misunderstanding.
—Matthew F. Erskine, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Other disputes stem from misunderstandings, with another Newsweek article describing a woman who was accused of falsely claiming an allergy to avoid eating certain foods at a family dinner.
—Matthew Impelli, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 June 2025
Clear communication helped Brandy and Monica work through their misunderstandings.
—Dave Quinn, People.com, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for misunderstanding
Recent Examples of Synonyms for misunderstanding
Noun
-
Skull emoji: This emoji is often used to mock someone's mistake or appearance.—
Sherri Gordon,
Parents,
21 July 2025
-
But when mistakes are punished or hidden, innovation stops in its tracks.—
IESE Business School,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
Noun
-
But there are still some sour grapes about the big tactical dispute in February.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
14 July 2025
-
Threads on the South Park subreddit and social media have lit up with foul-mouthed complaints from international fans, most of them directed at Paramount and David Ellison’s Skydance Media, whose $8 billion buyout of Paramount is at the heart of the South Park dispute.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
14 July 2025
Verb
-
Stewart went scoreless, missing his only shot attempt, had a rebound, an assist and a block.—
Hunter Patterson,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
-
The search continues for a 29-year-old woman whose car was discovered in a rural county in Oregon after she was reported missing six days ago, authorities said.—
Sam Gillette,
People.com,
11 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Press junkets came with loaded questions about his background, early websites were devoted to hating Jar Jar, and there were misinterpretations about the character's intentions.—
Jordan Hoffman,
EW.com,
13 July 2025
-
Simple terms also leave less room for mistakes and misinterpretation.—
Adrian Dearnell,
Forbes.com,
10 July 2025
Noun
-
Internal disagreements among board members further complicate SDC's situation.—
Gina Lee Castro,
jsonline.com,
18 July 2025
-
Because of this, students should note that the topic of the disagreement matters far less than how the disagreement illuminates the student’s capacity for reflection, listening, and growth.—
Christopher Rim,
Forbes.com,
17 July 2025
Noun
-
Back in May, former Washington Commanders running back Adrian Peterson went viral for his involvement in a physical altercation at a poker game in Houston, Texas.—
Justin Grasso,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 July 2025
-
The altercation could be setting the stage for an official showdown between Jelly and Paul at this year’s SummerSlam, scheduled for Aug. 2–3 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Watch Jelly Roll face off with Logan Paul at WWE SmackDown in the clip below.—
Mitchell Peters,
Billboard,
13 July 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
-
Your celestial ruler, Mercury, will also station retrograde in your communication sector (for the win), triggering misunderstandings and unnecessary quarrels with siblings or neighbors.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
8 July 2025
-
According to writer and historian Geoffrey C. Ward, Johnson had his quarrels inside and outside the ring.—
Marley Malenfant,
Austin American Statesman,
2 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Misunderstanding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misunderstanding. Accessed 26 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share