misunderstands

Definition of misunderstandsnext
present tense third-person singular of misunderstand

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 misunderstands But this misunderstands the nature of the problem. Deb Roy, The Atlantic, 15 Feb. 2026 The profit accusation also misunderstands that vaccine payments don’t go into physicians’ pockets. Jess Steier, STAT, 29 Jan. 2026 That approach misunderstands what AI actually changes. Michael Wystrach, Fortune, 29 Jan. 2026 That claim misunderstands both the intent and the reality. Nan Rich, Sun Sentinel, 13 Jan. 2026 That demand ignores long-standing practice, misunderstands the Bears’ legal obligations and risks undermining one of Illinois’ most important economic assets. Don Dewitte, Chicago Tribune, 1 Jan. 2026 But that view misunderstands how the Senate’s debate rules actually work. Jeremy Dalrymple, Oc Register, 2 Dec. 2025 In an amicus brief filed to the Supreme Court, the American Psychological Association, the American Psychiatric Association and 12 other professional bodies argued that characterizing talk therapy as mere speech fundamentally misunderstands its therapeutic use and purpose. Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 7 Oct. 2025 But a nurse eventually overhears Archer and Hannah discussing it, and misunderstands the situation. Claire Franken, TVLine, 1 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for misunderstands
Verb
  • The consumer misses information about a large rate increase.
    Dave Lieber, Dallas Morning News, 18 Feb. 2026
  • That framing misses what this effort means for families in our community.
    Shane Strum, Sun Sentinel, 17 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Finally, the policy misconstrues preventative care.
    Bloomberg Opinion, Twin Cities, 14 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Share the plan in writing so no one misreads it.
    Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 14 Jan. 2026
  • The big risk as things stand is that an adversary misreads his mixed signals, oversteps, and triggers an escalation nobody wants.
    Comfort Ero, Time, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • In the end, Gail mistakes Paul for a burglar and sends a mob of angry neighbors after him.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2026
  • No one mistakes him for a devout Christian or a person of faith or morality.
    Hillary Rodham Clinton, The Atlantic, 29 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • That memorandum misinterprets the law to allow for more exceptions than intended, according to the letter.
    Peter D'Abrosca, FOXNews.com, 26 Jan. 2026
  • Boards should assume that if an algorithm misinterprets their governance, there may be no analyst to call and no clear way to correct the record before a vote is cast.
    Jane Sadowsky, Fortune, 17 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Misunderstands.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misunderstands. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.

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