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
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Recent Examples of misunderstanding
Maggie Dougherty, CBS News, 27 Feb. 2026
But the Primrose is more a cauldron of prejudice and misunderstanding than a melting pot.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2026
Jim Cramer, CNBC, 4 Jan. 2026
Interestingly, people often described fears that were based on misunderstanding how technology works – or fails to work.
—Alaina Vandervoort Burns, The Conversation, 17 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for misunderstanding
Noun
Cummings, who had ordered the government to recirculate the policy nationwide in compliance with the decree, granted the government a delay in recirculating the policy while the parties clarified the misunderstanding.
—Maggie Dougherty, CBS News, 27 Feb. 2026
But the Primrose is more a cauldron of prejudice and misunderstanding than a melting pot.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2026
Verb
People keep either misunderstanding or forgetting that there are not one but two revolutions going on here, the second being accelerated computing.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 4 Jan. 2026
Interestingly, people often described fears that were based on misunderstanding how technology works – or fails to work.
—Alaina Vandervoort Burns, The Conversation, 17 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for misunderstanding
Recent Examples of Synonyms for misunderstanding
Noun
-
Wahlin said that there’s a difference between making a mistake and making a hard-working mistake.—
Dean Spiros,
Twin Cities,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Mikaela Shiffrin improved from 12th following a costly mistake in the opening run to finish fifth and protect her lead in the overall standings.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
What will become of this nursery in the wild in the next hundred years, or thousand, is the crux of a scientific and policy dispute.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
-
In the video, a group of young teens appeared to be in a verbal dispute before a physical altercation quickly escalated between two girls.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Åberg has improved his tee-to-green numbers and tournament finishes every start since missing the cut at Torrey Pines in January.—
Justin Ray,
New York Times,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Herro returned after missing the previous two games with left quad soreness and Powell returned after missing the previous seven games with a right groin strain.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The danger is not simply misinterpretation.—
Yusuf Tuggar,
semafor.com,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Simple things that are so straightforward there’s no room for misinterpretation.—
Chris Morocco,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Despite the ongoing disagreements, both sides say continuing conversations is important.—
Tori Mason,
CBS News,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Over the years, my sisters and I have struggled through clashing personalities, intense disagreements and wonky power dynamics.—
Harriette Cole,
Mercury News,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Tucked away off Lagos’ Admiralty Way main road, you’d be forgiven for mistaking its polite green exterior for something residential upon viewing.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Mar. 2026
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Interviewers may favor candidates who share their alma mater or communication style, mistaking familiarity for fit, Naumann says.—
Kristin Stoller,
Fortune,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Manager Mark DeRosa’s misspeaking or misreading of the tiebreaker scenarios didn’t sink his club.—
Zack Meisel,
New York Times,
12 Mar. 2026
-
In their response, government prosecutors criticized the Sansons’ arguments as off-target and based on a misreading of the law.—
Jakob Rodgers,
Mercury News,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
During the altercation, police say one fatal shot was fired into the victim's stomach.—
Eric Mack,
FOXNews.com,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Then, Smith and the Jets’ relationship soured for good when Smith suffered a broken jaw in a locker room altercation with teammate IK Enemkpali in August of 2015.—
Antwan Staley,
New York Daily News,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Misunderstanding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misunderstanding. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
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