misunderstand
verb
mis·un·der·stand
(ˌ)mi-ˌsən-dər-ˈstand 
misunderstood
(ˌ)mi-ˌsən-dər-ˈstu̇d
; misunderstanding
; misunderstanding
Synonyms
Examples of misunderstand in a Sentence
Don't misunderstand me—I'm not criticizing your decision.
He feels that the critics have completely misunderstood his movies.
She expressed herself in clear terms that no one could misunderstand.
Recent Examples on the Web
Once the war began, some administration officials believed that Kyiv might fall within three days, a judgment that proved to deeply misunderstand Ukraine’s will to fight.
—
Shane Harris, The Atlantic, 17 Jan. 2025
Their generation’s sense of empathy misunderstands compassion.
—Armond White, National Review, 15 Jan. 2025
As part of this tantrum, Musk responded affirmatively to a suggestion that King Charles should dissolve Parliament, appearing to both misunderstand the British parliamentary system and endorse a monarchist view for the country, which is to say a semi-authoritarian one.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 4 Jan. 2025
Read More: How Elon Musk Became a Kingmaker Musk misunderstands the AfD.
—Paul Hockenos, TIME, 9 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for misunderstand 
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Shane Harris, The Atlantic, 17 Jan. 2025
Their generation’s sense of empathy misunderstands compassion.
—Armond White, National Review, 15 Jan. 2025
As part of this tantrum, Musk responded affirmatively to a suggestion that King Charles should dissolve Parliament, appearing to both misunderstand the British parliamentary system and endorse a monarchist view for the country, which is to say a semi-authoritarian one.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 4 Jan. 2025
Read More: How Elon Musk Became a Kingmaker Musk misunderstands the AfD.
—Paul Hockenos, TIME, 9 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for misunderstand
Articles Related to misunderstand
Dictionary Entries Near misunderstand
Cite this Entry
“Misunderstand.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/misunderstand. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
misunderstand
verb
mis·un·der·stand
(ˌ)mis-ˌən-dər-ˈstand
misunderstood
-ˈstu̇d
; misunderstanding
; misunderstanding
1
: to fail to understand
2
: to interpret incorrectly
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