misunderstanding
noun
mis·un·der·stand·ing
(ˌ)mi-ˌsən-dər-ˈstan-diŋ 
1
: a failure to understand : misinterpretation
The instructions were carefully written to prevent misunderstanding.
2
: quarrel, disagreement
an unfortunate misunderstanding between two old friends
Examples of misunderstanding in a Sentence
The instructions are carefully written in order to avoid misunderstanding.
Her comments reflect a misunderstanding of the basic problem.
using clear language to avoid misunderstandings
an unfortunate misunderstanding between old friends
We had our little misunderstandings in the past but we managed to clear them up long ago.
Recent Examples on the Web
Another reader sent an annotated version of my column to me, showing a fundamental misunderstanding of my column and pretty much everything else.
—
Matt Fleming, Oc Register, 13 July 2025
Beyond risks to trust and reputation, misunderstanding of the capabilities and limitations of AI systems can lead to serious operational risks.
—Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
His belief that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) could cut a trillion dollars in federal spending demonstrated a fundamental misunderstanding of budget realities, just as his third-party proposal reveals ignorance of electoral mechanics.
—Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 July 2025
Despite the hundred-year-old misunderstanding about the quality of our ability to smell, research increasingly shows that humans actually smell pretty well.
—Yasemin Saplakoglu, Quanta Magazine, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for misunderstanding
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Matt Fleming, Oc Register, 13 July 2025
Beyond risks to trust and reputation, misunderstanding of the capabilities and limitations of AI systems can lead to serious operational risks.
—Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
His belief that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) could cut a trillion dollars in federal spending demonstrated a fundamental misunderstanding of budget realities, just as his third-party proposal reveals ignorance of electoral mechanics.
—Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 July 2025
Despite the hundred-year-old misunderstanding about the quality of our ability to smell, research increasingly shows that humans actually smell pretty well.
—Yasemin Saplakoglu, Quanta Magazine, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for misunderstanding
Cite this Entry
“Misunderstanding.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/misunderstanding. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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