1
as in misinterpretations
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 disagreements
an often noisy or angry expression of differing opinions
tried to resolve their misunderstandings peacefully
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of misunderstandings
May 21 – June 20 Honesty can clear up any recent messy misunderstandings.
—
Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 9 Jan. 2026
Your curious voice can turn a tense back-and-forth into a kind brainstorm by talking through personal misunderstandings to ensure everyone is actually having a good time.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 8 Jan. 2026
In practice, family therapy involves having a neutral third party observe how everyone interacts in order to reduce misunderstandings, conflicts, and ideally, your stress.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 16 Dec. 2025
The recent events have placed them on different sides of a sensitive moment and their decision to meet privately shows signs of a mutual desire to speak directly while reducing misunderstandings and avoiding further speculation.
—Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 15 Dec. 2025
Getting these facts right matters because public debates, policies and resources – including money for programs – often rely on these assumptions, and misunderstandings can leave real needs neglected.
—Tim Slack, Fortune, 11 Dec. 2025
With Mercury retrograde stirring your third and fourth houses, misunderstandings at home or with loved ones could test your patience.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2025
Experts believe that misunderstandings about who needs screenings and how often may be part of the reason some women skip mammograms.
—Dr. Allyson Heng, ABC News, 30 Oct. 2025
The findings revealed significant misunderstandings or lack of knowledge among much of the population.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 9 Jan. 2026
Your curious voice can turn a tense back-and-forth into a kind brainstorm by talking through personal misunderstandings to ensure everyone is actually having a good time.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 8 Jan. 2026
In practice, family therapy involves having a neutral third party observe how everyone interacts in order to reduce misunderstandings, conflicts, and ideally, your stress.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 16 Dec. 2025
The recent events have placed them on different sides of a sensitive moment and their decision to meet privately shows signs of a mutual desire to speak directly while reducing misunderstandings and avoiding further speculation.
—Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 15 Dec. 2025
Getting these facts right matters because public debates, policies and resources – including money for programs – often rely on these assumptions, and misunderstandings can leave real needs neglected.
—Tim Slack, Fortune, 11 Dec. 2025
With Mercury retrograde stirring your third and fourth houses, misunderstandings at home or with loved ones could test your patience.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2025
Experts believe that misunderstandings about who needs screenings and how often may be part of the reason some women skip mammograms.
—Dr. Allyson Heng, ABC News, 30 Oct. 2025
The findings revealed significant misunderstandings or lack of knowledge among much of the population.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for misunderstandings
Noun
-
Doubts have been cast on jobs data due to misinterpretations of the labor bureau’s routine reviews of its statistics and its admissions about the difficulty of getting answers to its employment surveys.—
Jonathan Lansner,
Oc Register,
8 Jan. 2026
-
When the mind of a bilingual child mirrors absurd translations, their poetic misinterpretations can accidentally produce multiple meanings — and create puns.—
Elaina Patton,
IndieWire,
15 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Or one who dismissed concerns from Black New Yorkers by citing disagreements with African leaders.—
David Moore,
New York Daily News,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas gave fans a glimpse into one of their ongoing disagreements at the 2026 Golden Globes on Sunday night.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
In Slow Horses — an adaptation of author Mick Herron's award-winning Slough House series — Oldman, 67, portrays Jackson Lamb, the leader of a dysfunctional team of MI5 agents whose career-ending mistakes landed them an unwanted spot at Slough House.—
Liza Esquibias,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
-
This game was a defensive battle on both sides, as Hurts and Purdy had their fair share of mistakes, though the latter’s showed up in the box score.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Opening arguments in a Stanford felony vandalism case began Friday amid sharp disputes over whether political views tied to Israel’s war in Gaza should factor into the trial — an issue that has shaped the case from its earliest stages.—
Ryan Macasero,
Mercury News,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Keeping Tabs on Car and Insurance-Related Documents Good documentation helps save time and stress during claims or disputes.—
Ethan M. Stone,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Washington’s choice prioritized American independence over European quarrels.—
Daniel Ross Goodman,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The republic would treat other nations with civility precisely in order to remain independent of their appetites and quarrels.—
Maurizio Valsania,
The Conversation,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
No arrests, detentions or altercations with police were reported.—
Richard Ramos,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Loud sounds of rioters and altercations with Capitol Police could be heard clearly.—
Sarah Ghermay,
Washington Post,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Over the past year, CBS has experienced several controversies and new ownership that led to new leadership, which have some critics accusing the network of losing its credibility.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
14 Jan. 2026
-
The question ran through a host of controversies and crises involving the School District.—
Anthony Mann,
Miami Herald,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Ronald Reagan did not suffer from such misapprehensions.—
Gordon G. Chang,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Misunderstandings.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misunderstandings. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
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