misunderstand

verb

mis·​un·​der·​stand (ˌ)mi-ˌsən-dər-ˈstand How to pronounce misunderstand (audio)
misunderstood (ˌ)mi-ˌsən-dər-ˈstu̇d How to pronounce misunderstand (audio) ; misunderstanding

transitive verb

1
: to fail to understand
2
: to interpret incorrectly

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
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.
That the pendulum has swung again to claims of personal freedom over real public benefit in the case of fluoride fundamentally misunderstands the role of community and society. Megha Satyanarayana, Scientific American, 4 Apr. 2025 Whether this is proof that too many writers (or, more likely, development executives) misunderstood why Breaking Bad worked is an open question. Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 28 Mar. 2025 But Hawkins argued that Eichorn misunderstood the officer because of the noise in the holding area. Steve Karnowski, Twin Cities, 26 Mar. 2025 The Federal Reserve fundamentally misunderstands inflation. Steve Forbes, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for misunderstand

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of misunderstand was in the 13th century

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Cite this Entry

“Misunderstand.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/misunderstand. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

misunderstand

verb
mis·​un·​der·​stand (ˌ)mis-ˌən-dər-ˈstand How to pronounce misunderstand (audio)
misunderstood -ˈstu̇d How to pronounce misunderstand (audio) ; misunderstanding
1
: to fail to understand
2
: to interpret incorrectly

More from Merriam-Webster on misunderstand

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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