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

Synonyms

• incomprehension
• misapprehension
• misconstruction
• misconstruing
• misimpression
• misinterpretation
• misknowledge
• misreading

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

Christmas episodes are a chance for shows to showcase their strengths, and these back-and-forth misunderstandings are peak Arrested Development. —Marianne Eloise, Vulture, 11 Dec. 2024

But the screen name did lead to a funny misunderstanding. —Victoria Edel, People.com, 11 Dec. 2024

Lee also reveals a fundamental misunderstanding about Social Security as a program. —Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 3 Dec. 2024

This is coupled with the belief that media coverage overstates the immediacy and severity of climate issues to create sensationalist narratives, leading to public misunderstandings. —Robert Rapier, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

misunderstanding

noun

mis·​un·​der·​stand·​ing

(ˌ)mis-ˌən-dər-ˈstan-diŋ

1

: a failure to understand

2

: disagreement sense 2b, quarrel