misdeem

verb

mis·​deem ˌmis-ˈdēm 

misdeemed; misdeeming

1

intransitive archaic : to be mistaken : hold a wrong opinion

Also at such times is the rich man become fearful, and so waxeth in cruelty, and of that cruelty do people misdeem that it is power and might waxing.

—William Morris

2

transitive, archaic

a

: to have a mistaken opinion of : misjudge

Nor misdeem me, that I … should be thus bold.

—Edward Bulwer-Lytton

b

: to think or suppose wrongly

… but he misdeems that he is wise …

—Percy Bysshe Shelley

3

transitive archaic : to mistake for something or someone else

… the poverty ye know, which we for wealth misdeem …

—Aubrey De Vere

Synonyms

• miscalculate
• misconceive
• misestimate
• misgauge
• misjudge
• mismeasure
• mistake

Examples of misdeem in a Sentence

my son is a shy, quiet boy, but you seriously misdeem him if you believe him to be stupid

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1