misunderstand

[ mis-uhn-der-stand ]

verb (used with object)

, mis·un·der·stood, mis·un·der·stand·ing.

1. to take (words, statements, etc.) in a wrong sense; understand wrongly.

   Synonyms: misinterpret, misapprehend, misconstrue

2. to fail to understand or interpret rightly the words or behavior of.

misunderstand

/ ˌmɪsʌndəˈstænd /

verb

1. to fail to understand properly

Other Words From

• misun·der·stander noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of misunderstand¹

First recorded in 1150–1200, misunderstand is from the Middle English word misunderstanden. See mis- ¹, understand

Example Sentences

If any leader were to take a vote to put them in office for some temporary period of time to be a total transfer of power from the people to them, they will fundamentally misunderstand democracy, and if we allow them to do that, they will fundamentally destroy democracy.

From Slate

What people often misunderstand is that you have been watching a player who is playing a certain way, and functioning well in a well-functioning team.

From BBC

"It’s important that, so that people don’t misunderstand that, that I am true to my wife."

From BBC

Still, she was worried she would misunderstand something or say the wrong thing.

From Los Angeles Times

But many early dismissals of Amy Adams and Marielle Heller’s new film seem to misunderstand why it might resonate with women.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• confuse
• miscalculate
• misconstrue
• misinterpret
• misjudge
• misread