misunderstood

American  

[mis-uhn-der-stood] / ˌmɪs ʌn dərˈstʊd /

adjective

1. improperly understood or interpreted.

2. not appreciated.

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misunderstood British  

/ ˌmɪsʌndəˈstʊd /

adjective

1. not properly or sympathetically understood

   a misunderstood work of art

   a misunderstood adolescent

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Other Word Forms

• half-misunderstood adjective
• unmisunderstood adjective

Etymology

Origin of misunderstood

First recorded in 1585–95; mis- ¹ + understood

Example Sentences

To Palantir’s old guard, the FDE remains as deeply misunderstood as ever, despite its newfound fame — a role that rivals are culturally appropriating while ignoring the often grueling engineering process it entails.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 4, 2026

Shulman says he was misunderstood: “The whole spark for the company is realizing that the most fun I’ve ever had is making music with my friends.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 28, 2026

I feel like they’re all so largely misunderstood, especially Lindsay Lohan.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2026

Shelley’s story is so moving precisely because it’s tinged with firsthand knowledge of the despair that comes with being misunderstood and othered at no fault of one’s own.

From Salon • Mar. 8, 2026

All I could think of at first was that somehow he had misunderstood something I had said.

From "Z for Zachariah" by Robert C. O’Brien