misinterpretation

noun

mis·​in·​ter·​pre·​ta·​tion ˌmi-sᵊn-ˌtər-prə-ˈtā-shən 

-pə-

plural misinterpretations

: failure to understand or interpret something correctly

an error caused by misinterpretation of the rules

: a mistaken interpretation

… it soon becomes obvious to workers in the field that misunderstandings and misinterpretations of conventional terms seriously interfere with scholarly communication.

—Juergan Eichhoff

Synonyms

• incomprehension
• misapprehension
• misconstruction
• misconstruing
• misimpression
• misknowledge
• misreading
• misunderstanding

Examples of misinterpretation in a Sentence

his misinterpretation of the ambiguously worded instructions was hardly his fault

Recent Examples on the Web

Clear communication through design artifacts such as wireframes, prototypes and user journey maps minimizes the chances of misinterpretation, reducing costly misunderstandings. 7. —Tina Gada, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024

For all its asterisks and misinterpretations, modernization theory was a contribution to thinking about what is universal in human development and how foreign policy might prepare for a coming age in which the benefits of modernity are more open to all. —Charles King, Foreign Affairs, 24 Oct. 2023

The spread of misinformation is the result of misunderstandings or misinterpretations of facts, regardless of intentions, said University of Miami communications professor Lindsay Grace. —Quinn Clark, Journal Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2024

Managing remote teams usually trips over several challenges, such as productivity control, communication delays, misinterpretations and misunderstandings. —Øyvind Forsbak, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1538, in the meaning defined above