misconstrue

[mis-kuhn-stroo, mis-kon-stroo]

verb (used with object)

misconstrued, misconstruing 

1. to misunderstand the meaning of; take in a wrong sense; misinterpret.

   Synonyms: misjudge, misapprehend, misread

misconstrue

/ ˌmɪskənˈstruː /

verb

1. (tr) to interpret mistakenly

Word History and Origins

Origin of misconstrue¹

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; mis- ¹, construe

Example Sentences

In a statement, a lawyer for the city contends that the ruling “misconstrues the city’s obligations.”

From Los Angeles Times

"This is how it has been misconstrued, or manipulated to make some cheap, political point," said Robinson.

From BBC

Sworn declarations filed in federal court Wednesday also protest the claims against some detainees, stating that benign tattoos were misconstrued as evidence of gang affiliation.

From Salon

If one believed that the star-spangled banner flapped “o’er the land of the free,” then protest during its veneration – not against it, as was deliberately misconstrued – is precisely the affordance that the ritual symbolizes.

From Salon

“The stop work order is being implemented due to causes outside of your control and should not be misconstrued as an indication of poor performance by your firm,” the letter said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• distort 
• exaggerate 
• misinterpret 
• misread 
• misunderstand 
• pervert