Misconstruction Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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misconstruction

[ˌmɪskənˈstrʌkʃ(ə)n ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

in building

A mistake or error in construction or interpretation.

Synonyms

error, misinterpretation, misunderstanding.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
misconstruction	Use when describing the act of interpreting information or instructions incorrectly, often leading to confusion or mistakes. The misconstruction of the company's policies led to several operational issues
misinterpretation	Appropriate when discussing the incorrect understanding of a statement, data, or situation, often emphasizing the perspective of interpretation. Her misinterpretation of the contract terms caused a lot of confusion
misunderstanding	Best used for describing situations where there is a failure to understand something correctly, commonly in interpersonal or communicative contexts. Our argument was just a big misunderstanding; we were actually saying the same thing
error	Commonly used in both everyday and technical contexts to describe any kind of mistake, largely neutral in connotation. There was an error in the calculations that caused the project to be delayed

Examples of usage

The misconstruction of the building plans led to costly repairs.
His misconstruction of the instructions resulted in a faulty product.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

in law

A flawed interpretation or understanding of a legal document or statute.

Synonyms

error, misinterpretation, misunderstanding.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
misconstruction	When someone builds a wrong or incorrect idea about something, often because of poor information or faulty logic. His misconstruction of the rules led to his disqualification from the game. There was a misconstruction in the initial design of the project.
misinterpretation	When someone understands something in a wrong or incorrect way, especially involving texts, messages, or intentions. Her misinterpretation of the poem led to a heated discussion. There was a misinterpretation of his words, causing confusion among the team.
misunderstanding	Often used in casual or interpersonal contexts where two or more parties fail to understand each other correctly, leading to confusion or conflict. There was a misunderstanding about the meeting time. A simple misunderstanding caused the argument.
error	Applicable in a broad range of situations where a mistake has been made. It can refer to mistakes in calculations, decisions, actions, and more. The scientist found an error in the experiment results. Due to a clerical error, the payment was sent to the wrong address.

Examples of usage

The misconstruction of the contract language caused a dispute between the parties.
The misconstruction of the law led to an unjust ruling.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

Misinterpretation can lead to conflicts in communication, highlighting the importance of clarity in conversations.
Cognitive biases, like confirmation bias, can exacerbate misconstructions by influencing how we perceive information.
Studies show that nonverbal cues can significantly affect understanding, leading to potential misconstructions in dialogue.

Law

In legal contexts, misconstruction of laws can result in wrongful judgments or decisions.
Legal documents often include precise language to avoid misconstruction, emphasizing the need for clarity.
Misconstruction can sometimes lead to appeals in court, as parties seek to clarify misunderstandings.

Literature

Many classic novels reveal themes of misconstruction between characters, often leading to dramatic tension.
Poets sometimes play with language intentionally to provoke deliberate misconstruction, inviting deeper analysis.
Literary devices like irony and satire often rely on misconstruction to convey deeper meanings or critique society.

Communication

Effective communication skills are crucial to minimize misconstructions in various settings, including workplaces.
Active listening is a technique that helps clarify and reduce the chance of misconstruction.
Technology, such as autocorrect, can unintentionally lead to misconstruction in casual messaging.

Origin of 'misconstruction'

Main points about word origin

The prefix 'mis-' comes from Old English, meaning 'wrongly' or 'badly'.
The root 'construction' originates from Latin 'constructio', indicating the action of building or forming.
The term combines the ideas of incorrect interpretation with the concept of building an understanding.

The word 'misconstruction' originated from the combination of 'mis-' meaning 'wrongly' and 'construction' meaning 'act of building or interpreting'. It first appeared in the English language in the mid-16th century. Over time, the term has been primarily used in the fields of construction and law to refer to errors in interpretation or understanding.