misinterpretation

noun

mis·​in·​ter·​pre·​ta·​tion ˌmi-sᵊn-ˌtər-prə-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce misinterpretation (audio)
-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

Examples of misinterpretation in a Sentence

his misinterpretation of the ambiguously worded instructions was hardly his fault
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
The spread of misinformation is the result of misunderstandings or misinterpretations of facts, regardless of intentions, said University of Miami communications professor Lindsay Grace. Quinn Clark, Journal Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2024 Managing remote teams usually trips over several challenges, such as productivity control, communication delays, misinterpretations and misunderstandings. Øyvind Forsbak, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2024 The Democrats contended that the lack of clarity in the rules could lead to misinterpretation by election officials, creating unnecessary delays and possibly threatening voters’ rights. Kaelan Deese, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 1 Oct. 2024 Sure, some may argue that brands need to tread carefully—that humor must align with a brand's identity to prevent misinterpretation or backlash. Jeetendr Sehdev, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for misinterpretation 

Word History

First Known Use

1538, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of misinterpretation was in 1538

Dictionary Entries Near misinterpretation

Cite this Entry

“Misinterpretation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/misinterpretation. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

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