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
William Gavin, Quartz, 22 Jan. 2025
Seeking and Embracing Feedback: The key to addressing potential misunderstandings lies in inviting candid feedback.
—Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
According to Trademark Venues, enforcing a no-children policy at weddings can be challenging and often leads to misunderstandings.
—Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
The invitation was rescinded and blamed on an unfortunate misunderstanding.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 15 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for misunderstanding 
Noun
The likely misunderstanding propelled Metagenomi stock up by as much as 33% on Wednesday before gains were pared back down to a 25% increase.
—William Gavin, Quartz, 22 Jan. 2025
Seeking and Embracing Feedback: The key to addressing potential misunderstandings lies in inviting candid feedback.
—Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
According to Trademark Venues, enforcing a no-children policy at weddings can be challenging and often leads to misunderstandings.
—Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
The invitation was rescinded and blamed on an unfortunate misunderstanding.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 15 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for misunderstanding
Recent Examples of Synonyms for misunderstanding
Noun
-
Daniel Weiner, the director of government and elections at the Brennan Center for Justice, said the legal deadlines were set in part so that there would be time to make revisions before the Electoral Votes were cast in the event of a mistake or legal challenge.—
Daniel Desrochers,
Kansas City Star,
22 Jan. 2025
-
That portrays the Court as an institution that has made historic mistakes on citizenship and need not be trusted as the sole authority on the meaning of the Constitution.—
Jeannie Suk Gersen,
The New Yorker,
22 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
While In Office By Zoltan Istvan Author 0 Today, there are developers around the world working on creating artificial intelligence (AI) agents that can autonomously do millions of useful things, like book airline tickets, dispute credit card charges, and even trade crypto.—
Barbara A. Perry,
Newsweek,
28 Jan. 2025
-
Witherspoon said the woman who stuck her hand into the dog fight lost the dispute.—
Edward Segarra,
USA TODAY,
27 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Keegan Murray is considered questionable after missing the past two games with left ankle inflammation.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacramento Bee,
5 Jan. 2025
-
The Leafs looked to finally have the missing piece.—
Joshua Kloke,
The Athletic,
5 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Empathetic communication can bridge many gaps and prevent misinterpretations.—
Johnny C. Taylor Jr.,
USA TODAY,
26 Nov. 2024
-
Chainalysis’s data accuracy has faced scrutiny; critics argue that without independent audits, analyses can sometimes lead to misinterpretations or unjust actions against individuals or businesses.—
Susie Violet Ward,
Forbes,
24 Nov. 2024
Noun
-
Peace-makers are threatened by disagreements and go along with the group to create harmony and keep the peace.—
Bryan Robinson,
Forbes,
20 Jan. 2025
-
The case doesn’t have the customary hallmarks of cases that warrant Supreme Court action, Greely told me, such as disagreements among appellate circuits requiring resolution.—
Michael Hiltzik,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Video shown in court in November showed a group of men, two of whom officials identified as Rocky and Ephron, involved in a verbal altercation, according to The Associated Press.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA TODAY,
19 Jan. 2025
-
Zarka was accused of fatally stabbing Garrity to death after the two engaged in a physical altercation.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
17 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Ohanian used his misconstruction of employment figures as the basis for a wide-ranging critique of California economic policy, mostly citing how the high cost of living drives people out of the state.—
Michael Hiltzik,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Dec. 2024
-
This is a gross misconstruction of federal law.—
Noah Feldman Bloomberg Opinion (TNS),
Star Tribune,
10 Sep. 2020
Noun
-
The House has been thrust into a political quarrel after voters elected 67 Democrats and 67 Republicans in November.—
Lauren Irwin,
The Hill,
14 Jan. 2025
-
For the 34th time in two years cops have been called by frightened neighbors or Hollis herself to quell the volcanic quarrels inside Peppermill Apartments unit B-312.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near misunderstanding
Cite this Entry
“Misunderstanding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misunderstanding. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share