1
as in mistake
a failure to understand correctly
people once thought that there were canals on Mars because of a common misunderstanding of a report by an Italian astronomer
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dispute
an often noisy or angry expression of differing opinions
tried to resolve their misunderstandings peacefully
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in missing
to fail to understand the true or actual meaning of
you misunderstood that poem because you took everything so literally
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of misunderstanding
Christina Pérez, Vogue, 12 Apr. 2025
Her memories reframe events that have already been shown through Kristine’s eyes as misunderstandings or abuse.
—Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 10 Apr. 2025
Beyond a misunderstanding of Trump’s psychology, there are a few other telling conclusions to be drawn from all this.
—Susan B. Glasser, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2025
Misrepresentations and misunderstandings of data are harmful.
—Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for misunderstanding
Noun
Conflict in a relationship is inevitable—there will be disagreements, misunderstandings, and miscommunications.
—Christina Pérez, Vogue, 12 Apr. 2025
Her memories reframe events that have already been shown through Kristine’s eyes as misunderstandings or abuse.
—Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 10 Apr. 2025
Beyond a misunderstanding of Trump’s psychology, there are a few other telling conclusions to be drawn from all this.
—Susan B. Glasser, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2025
Misrepresentations and misunderstandings of data are harmful.
—Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for misunderstanding
Recent Examples of Synonyms for misunderstanding
Noun
-
There have been expensive product mistakes and lots of trial and error with brushes, clips, hair dryers….—
Liz Krieger,
Allure,
15 Apr. 2025
-
Understand exactly what damages authority on LinkedIn and methodically eliminate those mistakes from your profile, posts, and engagement strategy.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Book dispute is one of three religious rights cases The case is one of three religious rights cases the Supreme Court is deciding in the coming weeks, and appears likely to be part of a recent trend of the court siding with religious rights advocates.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2025
-
Congressional Republicans have so far shown little interest in negotiating the dispute between the president and the judiciary.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
22 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Stewart went scoreless, missing his only shot attempt, had a rebound, an assist and a block.—
Hunter Patterson,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
-
The search continues for a 29-year-old woman whose car was discovered in a rural county in Oregon after she was reported missing six days ago, authorities said.—
Sam Gillette,
People.com,
11 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
But this reaction stemmed from a fundamental misinterpretation.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
14 Apr. 2025
-
Sometimes, what feels like outright rejection is a miscommunication or a misinterpretation of intent.—
Benjamin Laker,
Forbes.com,
11 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
This is the classic day for disagreements with anyone in a position of authority.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
13 Apr. 2025
-
Gregg Ward, executive director at The Center for Respectful Leadership, said that while disagreements between neighbors are common, starting a war is never a good idea.—
David Faris,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Panthers center Sam Bennett, who had a contentious altercation with Marchand in Round 2 of the playoffs last year, said Marchand’s first message after being added to the team group chat was a chirp.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
20 Apr. 2025
-
The footage shows an altercation between Perez and a man that officials say lasted for about 15 minutes before officers arrived on the scene.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Counsel should try to foresee and prevent any misconstruction.—
Joshua Stein,
Forbes,
15 Mar. 2025
-
Counsel should try to foresee and prevent any misconstruction.—
Joshua Stein,
Forbes,
15 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The quarrel escalated into a fight, and Hernandez was stabbed multiple times in the abdomen, cops said.—
Elizabeth Keogh,
New York Daily News,
18 Mar. 2025
-
As the Venetians and the Ottoman Turks squabble over Cyprus in the background, the men before us quarrel over everything—a woman, a job, a handkerchief.—
Helen Shaw,
New Yorker,
28 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Misunderstanding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misunderstanding. Accessed 26 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share