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.
Trump fundamentally misunderstands the role that parents play — often tirelessly — in working with school officials to assure that their trans child is respected and affirmed in school, allowing those students to learn and mature in a safe environment. Edwin C. Yohnka, Chicago Tribune, 28 Feb. 2025 Here’s how the letter infringes on free speech, misunderstands the law and undermines education. Paul M. Collins Jr., The Conversation, 26 Feb. 2025 The Misunderstanding Theory The other theory is that our brain simply misunderstands the signals it's given by the eyes. Mark Joseph, Newsweek, 24 Feb. 2025 Musk and his team seem at best to be completely misunderstanding the basic workings of the federal government and at worst just not caring. New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 13 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Misunderstand.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/misunderstand. Accessed 14 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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