MISUNDERSTANDS Synonyms: 30 Similar and Opposite Words

misunderstands

verb

present tense third-person singular of misunderstand

as in misses

to fail to understand the true or actual meaning of you misunderstood that poem because you took everything so literally

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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 misunderstands 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 argument isn’t wrong, but fundamentally misunderstands that humans too are doing the same thing – recombining ideas is precisely what creates genuinely new ones. — Michael Muthukrishna, Fortune, 23 July 2026 Health policy experts and healthcare associations say that misunderstands the nature of insurance. — Lisa Jarvis, Mercury News, 15 July 2026 When asked what the world misunderstands most about the singer, 64, Ferrer didn’t hesitate. — Lily Brown, PEOPLE, 13 July 2026 That misunderstands both the problem and the legislation itself. — Andy Harris, Baltimore Sun, 4 July 2026 Do not rush to defend yourself if someone misunderstands your tone. — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 29 June 2026 This misunderstands the nature of modern protectorates, such as Palau or the Marshall Islands. — Barry Scott Zellen, Hartford Courant, 12 June 2026 According to Massenburg, what the world often misunderstands is that neo-soul was never created as a gimmick for commerce. — Datwon Thomas, VIBE.com, 22 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for misunderstands

Verb

His fastball only sits around 92-93, maybe 94 on a good day, but his funky delivery adds deception and misses bats.

— Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 5 Aug. 2026
An organization can grow without actually scaling to match, and if leadership misses that gap, things can run aground fast.

— Richard Neal, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of misses

Verb

Likewise, a healthy team environment cannot compensate indefinitely for a leader who reacts defensively, misreads situations or relies on an approach that no longer fits the circumstances.

— Tony Gambill, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
Paramount says the lawsuit misreads the facts and antitrust law.

— Brittney Melton, NPR, 14 July 2026

Definition of misreads

Verb

Attacks on humans by great barracudas are rare and often occur when the fish mistakes a shiny object, such as diving gear, for prey, according to the Florida Museum of Natural History.

— ABC News, ABC News, 31 July 2026
Reading it as weakness mistakes a maturing payment instrument for a shrinking asset class.

— Zennon Kapron, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026

Definition of mistakes

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misunderstandings

misunderstands

misunderstood

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“Misunderstands.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misunderstands. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of misunderstands

verb

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