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Definitions

misunderstand

[mis-uhn-der-stand] / ˌmɪs ʌn dərˈstænd /
VERB
get the wrong idea
Synonyms
STRONGEST
confuse miscalculate misconstrue misinterpret misjudge misread
STRONG
confound fail misapply misapprehend misconceive miss mistake
WEAK
be at cross purposes be bewildered be confused be perplexed get signals crossed get signals mixed get wrong get wrong impression miscomprehend misknow misreckon miss the point not register take amiss take wrongly
Antonyms
STRONGEST
understand
STRONG
comprehend succeed
WEAK
construe get grasp interpret perceive

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

And if AI agents are not kept on course by a human, they could misunderstand an instruction and wander down an errant processing path, resulting in a business paying for wasted computing power.

From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026

Doctors say many patients misunderstand the role of the drugs.

From BBC • Mar. 17, 2026

To treat it as a separate category is to misunderstand the American story itself.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 4, 2026

It’s easy for students to misunderstand and misinterpret college award letters that specify the financial aid they will receive.

From MarketWatch • Oct. 31, 2025

When we misunderstand each other, we listen again.

From "Piecing Me Together" by Renée Watson

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.