misunderstanding 1 of 2

noun

(ˌ)mi-ˌsən-dər-ˈstan-diŋ How to pronounce misunderstanding (audio)
Definition of misunderstandingnext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dispute
an often noisy or angry expression of differing opinions tried to resolve their misunderstandings peacefully

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misunderstanding

2 of 2

verb

present participle of misunderstand
as in missing
to fail to understand the true or actual meaning of you misunderstood that poem because you took everything so literally

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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 misunderstanding
Noun
Clear, descriptive communication with your doctor helps prevent those misunderstandings. — Jason Phillips, Ascend Agency, 24 Aug. 2026 Those accusations were false, and based on a prolific misunderstanding of where the team gets most of its revenue, who owns the majority of the organization, as well as how much of their television income comes from cable company Spectrum. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 Aug. 2026
Verb
In an article coming tomorrow, Clint Smith explores the betrayal of Black military officers, calling out the forces of reaction for misunderstanding the nature of patriotism. — The Atlantic, 8 June 2026 Toine says the two most common errors in orchid maintenance result from misunderstanding light and water requirements. — Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 14 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for misunderstanding
Recent Examples of Synonyms for misunderstanding
  1. mistake
  2. dispute
  3. missing
  4. misinterpretation
  5. disagreement
  6. mistaking
  7. misreading
  8. altercation
Noun
  • Well, his speed off the edge can cause a quarterback to make mistakes — the kind of game-changing mistakes from which the Chiefs did not benefit a year ago.
    — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 7 Sep. 2026
  • In a work so dense with references, mistakes will sprout like crabgrass; write a big book on André Le Nôtre’s formal gardens and the earthworm experts will gather to deride your confusion.
    — Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of mistake
Noun
  • Two rail gauges will meet The CKU project has adopted a dual-gauge design to resolve the long-standing technical dispute.
    — Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Countries are typically expected to attempt to resolve disputes before bringing them to the court.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of dispute
Verb
  • Clear information gives everyone a fair chance to ask questions and prevents resentment from filling in the missing details.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Biggest concern Wide receiver The Eagles’ reconfigured wide receiver depth chart was hard to ascertain this summer with DeVonta Smith and Makai Lemon missing three weeks of team drills.
    — Zach Berman, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of missing
Noun
  • Sánchez, who faces an election next year, has said a misinterpretation of a Supreme Court ruling and disinformation on social media encouraged people to rush the border.
    — Suman Naishadham, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Sánchez, who faces an election next year, said that a misinterpretation of a Supreme Court ruling and disinformation spread on social media encouraged people to rush the border.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of misinterpretation
Noun
  • The exchange is the latest chapter in a public disagreement that erupted after Clancy's trial, when Reddington publicly criticized the lone holdout juror who prevented a unanimous verdict on murder charges.
    — Brittany Miller , Bryan Llenas, FOXNews.com, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Conflict resolution facilitator Priya Parker has shared strategies for starting and ending a disagreement while minimizing discomfort for everyone involved.
    — Brittney Melton, NPR, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of disagreement
Verb
  • Parton played herself in the 2005 follow-up to 2000’s Miss Congeniality, which featured a scene where Bullock’s character, FBI agent Gracie Hart, tackles and straddles the country music legend—mistaking her for a Vegas impersonator.
    — Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Aug. 2026
  • There’s no mistaking the pop sensibilities that made this song cross over for the country star, from the Carpenters-worthy soft-pop charm of that piano intro to the lush orchestration on the bridge.
    — Ed Masley, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of mistaking
Noun
  • But this response is a fundamental misreading of the genre and of its audience.
    — Rebecca Stafford, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026
  • That decline was built entirely on a misreading of the product, and the shareholders who sold into it handed their shares to buyers who understood the company better.
    — Jon Markman, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of misreading
Noun
  • After an initial investigation, BPD determined an altercation that occurred on the porch led to the stabbing of the man.
    — Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 7 Sep. 2026
  • That was because, as OutKick's Ian Miller wrote, the university had pulled the outlet's credentials because of a report about a locker room altercation that resulted in the dismissal of senior safety Jacob Fields.
    — Matt Reigle OutKick, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of altercation

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misunderstand
misunderstanding
misunderstandings
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Cite this Entry

“Misunderstanding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misunderstanding. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

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Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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