misunderstand

verb

mis·​un·​der·​stand (ˌ)mi-ˌsən-dər-ˈstand How to pronounce misunderstand (audio)
misunderstood (ˌ)mi-ˌsən-dər-ˈstu̇d How to pronounce misunderstand (audio) ; misunderstanding

transitive verb

1
: to fail to understand
2
: to interpret incorrectly

Examples of misunderstand in a Sentence

Don't misunderstand me—I'm not criticizing your decision. He feels that the critics have completely misunderstood his movies. She expressed herself in clear terms that no one could misunderstand.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
No one can possibly misunderstand the urgency of finding a venue at this point. Erin Clack, People.com, 13 Feb. 2025 Don’t misunderstand this: that Arsenal team could play too, but winning was the be-all and end-all and being practical to that aim was fundamental. Amy Lawrence, The Athletic, 13 Feb. 2025 But whether or not a deal is reached, the assumption that a cease-fire will end Russia’s primary threat to Ukrainians misunderstands the nature of the conflict. Nataliya Gumenyuk, Foreign Affairs, 12 Feb. 2025 Bonifacio’s attorney, Javier Solano, told Newsday his client doesn’t speak English well and may have misunderstood what the officer asked him. Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 6 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for misunderstand

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of misunderstand was in the 13th century

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Cite this Entry

“Misunderstand.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/misunderstand. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

misunderstand

verb
mis·​un·​der·​stand (ˌ)mis-ˌən-dər-ˈstand How to pronounce misunderstand (audio)
misunderstood -ˈstu̇d How to pronounce misunderstand (audio) ; misunderstanding
1
: to fail to understand
2
: to interpret incorrectly

More from Merriam-Webster on misunderstand

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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