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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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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 misunderstands Maybe an important meeting is rescheduled at the worst possible time, or perhaps someone misunderstands the context of your conversation. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 28 Aug. 2026 Cuban argued that the proposal misunderstands how startup wealth works. — Joshua Hong, Fortune, 17 Aug. 2026 This practice fundamentally misunderstands AI's role, confusing resource consumption with actual performance and business value. — Michael Edmondson, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026 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 Health policy experts and healthcare associations say that misunderstands the nature of insurance. — Lisa Jarvis, Mercury News, 15 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for misunderstands
  1. misses
  2. misconstrues
  3. misreads
  4. mistakes
  5. misinterprets
Verb
  • But McDaniel probably won't be with the Chargers for the long term, and the Chargers' offensive depth is concerning, especially if McConkey misses time.
    — Mike Sando, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Warriors kicker Rodrigo Bigio misses another field goal and is slowed to get up.
    — Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of misses
Verb
  • In granting the President this unbridled authority, the Court upends its precedent, misconstrues our history, and sheds any pretense of judicial modesty.
    — Devin Dwyer, ABC News, 29 June 2026
  • Finally, the policy misconstrues preventative care.
    — Bloomberg Opinion, Twin Cities, 14 Jan. 2026
Definition of misconstrues
Verb
  • The backlash intensified after reports of immigration authorities accessing Flock data, officers abusing the network to stalk women, and misreads that led to innocent people held at gunpoint.
    — Christopher Cann, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026
  • When an agent misreads it, that interpretation can shape campaigns, seller outreach, budget decisions and workflows across the revenue organization.
    — Kelly Hopping, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of misreads
Verb
  • But the question mistakes the way psychiatry works — and its limitations.
    — Jennifer Adaeze Okwerekwu, STAT, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The trouble is that this phenomenon mistakes a niche for a culture.
    — Mckenna Friedland, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of mistakes
Verb
  • Billie, in turn, misinterprets that line as a message about wanting to open their relationship.
    — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The current debate often misinterprets AI's role, focusing too much on job replacement and efficiency.
    — Tim Bajarin, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of misinterprets

Browse Nearby Words

misunderstandings
misunderstands
misunderstood
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Cite this Entry

“Misunderstands.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misunderstands. Accessed 15 Sep. 2026.

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