misconstruction

noun

mis·​con·​struc·​tion ˌmis-kən-ˈstrək-shən 

plural misconstructions

1

: a wrong interpretation (as of words, intentions, or actions) : an act or instance of misconstruing something

a complete misconstruction of my words

2

: a bad or wrong construction

Catachresis … is a striking, even extreme, implied metaphor that often makes use of a grammatical misconstruction.

—Robert A. Harris

Synonyms

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

Examples of misconstruction in a Sentence

his misconstruction of the blueprints led to some costly and time-consuming repairs

Recent Examples on the Web

Ohanian used his misconstruction of employment figures as the basis for a wide-ranging critique of California economic policy, mostly citing how the high cost of living drives people out of the state. —Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 3 Dec. 2024

This is a gross misconstruction of federal law. —Noah Feldman Bloomberg Opinion (tns), Star Tribune, 10 Sep. 2020

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1535, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

misconstruction

noun

mis·​con·​struc·​tion

ˌmis-kən-ˈstrək-shən

: the act, the process, or an instance of misconstruing