Synonyms

misinterpret

American

[mis-in-tur-prit] / ˌmɪs ɪnˈtɜr prɪt /

verb (used with or without object)

to interpret, explain, or understand incorrectly.

misinterpret British

/ ˌmɪsɪnˈtɜːprɪt /

verb

(tr) to interpret badly, misleadingly, or incorrectly

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

misinterpretable adjective
misinterpretation noun
misinterpreter noun
unmisinterpretable adjective

Etymology

Origin of misinterpret

First recorded in 1580–90; mis- ¹ + interpret

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

They were officers dispatched by a concerned counselor who misinterpreted his factually accurate answer as a statement of intent.

From Los Angeles Times

Edwards said on Thursday he recognised the photo "from many years ago" looked "bad" and "could be misinterpreted".

From BBC

Edwards admitted the photograph "looks bad and could be misinterpreted", and said he was imitating a Welsh footballer using the gesture.

From BBC

Such support “could be misinterpreted as approval of the war.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Early Lyme symptoms include a rash, fatigue, muscle and joint pain, headache and fever, but can often be overlooked or misinterpreted.

From The Wall Street Journal

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023