Misconstrue: meaning, definitions and examples

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misconstrue

 

[ ˌmɪskənˈstruː ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

in communication

To interpret (something, such as a statement or action) wrongly; misinterpret. To misunderstand the meaning or intention of (someone). To misinterpret or misjudge the true nature of someone or something.

Synonyms

misinterpret, misjudge, misunderstand

Examples of usage

  • He misconstrued her words and thought she was being rude.
  • Don't misconstrue his silence as a sign of disinterest.

Translations

Translations of the word "misconstrue" in other languages:

🇵🇹 interpretar mal

🇮🇳 गलत समझना

🇩🇪 missverstehen

🇮🇩 salah mengartikan

🇺🇦 неправильно тлумачити

🇵🇱 źle zrozumieć

🇯🇵 誤解する

🇫🇷 mal interpréter

🇪🇸 malinterpretar

🇹🇷 yanlış anlamak

🇰🇷 오해하다

🇸🇦 أساء الفهم

🇨🇿 špatně pochopit

🇸🇰 nesprávne pochopiť

🇨🇳 误解

🇸🇮 napačno razumeti

🇮🇸 misskilja

🇰🇿 қате түсіну

🇬🇪 არასწორად აღქმა

🇦🇿 səhv başa düşmək

🇲🇽 malinterpretar

Etymology

The word 'misconstrue' originated from the combination of 'mis-', meaning 'badly' or 'wrongly', and 'construe', which comes from Latin 'construere' meaning 'to interpret'. The term has been in use since the late 15th century, evolving to its current form to describe the act of interpreting something incorrectly or inaccurately.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #34,048 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.