misinterpretation

noun

mis·​in·​ter·​pre·​ta·​tion ˌmi-sᵊn-ˌtər-prə-ˈtā-shən 

-pə-

plural misinterpretations

: failure to understand or interpret something correctly

an error caused by misinterpretation of the rules

: a mistaken interpretation

… it soon becomes obvious to workers in the field that misunderstandings and misinterpretations of conventional terms seriously interfere with scholarly communication.

—Juergan Eichhoff

Synonyms

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

Examples of misinterpretation in a Sentence

his misinterpretation of the ambiguously worded instructions was hardly his fault

Recent Examples on the Web

Accessibility regulations vary, and consulting local legal or accessibility professionals can help clarify complaint resolution procedures, formatting and national oversight requirements, ensuring compliance and avoiding misinterpretations. —Ran Ronen, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025

By identifying these deeper emotional triggers, individuals can approach conflicts with greater clarity and emotional balance, reducing misinterpretation and fostering healthier communication. 3. —Mark Travers, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025

This was a flagrant misinterpretation of Hollander’s order, which applied only to DOGE personnel who had not been properly vetted or trained for access to the data. —Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2025

False positives, misinterpretations and contextual blind spots will arise. —Srinivasa Rao Bittla, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1538, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for misinterpretation

• acclimatisation
• acclimatization
• acidification
• actualization
• annualization
• autocorrelation
• autoregulation
• beatification
• beneficiation
• biodegradation
• biotransformation
• bureaucratization