Misconstrued: meaning, definitions and examples

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misconstrued

 

[ ˌmɪskənˈstruː ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

understanding wrongly

To misconstrue means to interpret something incorrectly or to misinterpret the meaning of something. It often pertains to words, actions, or situations that are not understood as intended. Misconstruing can lead to misunderstandings or incorrect conclusions about the subject in question. It's important to clarify one's intentions to avoid being misconstrued by others.

Synonyms

distort, misinterpret, misread, misunderstand, twist

Examples of usage

  • His comments were misconstrued as offensive.
  • The article was misconstrued by many readers.
  • She felt her intentions were misconstrued.
  • Misconstruing his tone led to unnecessary conflict.

Translations

Translations of the word "misconstrued" in other languages:

🇵🇹 mal interpretado

🇮🇳 गलत समझा हुआ

🇩🇪 missverstanden

🇮🇩 salah paham

🇺🇦 неправильно зрозумілий

🇵🇱 błędnie zrozumiany

🇯🇵 誤解された

🇫🇷 mal compris

🇪🇸 malinterpretado

🇹🇷 yanlış anlaşılan

🇰🇷 오해된

🇸🇦 سوء فهم

🇨🇿 špatně pochopený

🇸🇰 nesprávne pochopený

🇨🇳 误解的

🇸🇮 narobe razumljen

🇮🇸 ranglega skilið

🇰🇿 қате түсіндірілген

🇬🇪 არასწორედ გაგებული

🇦🇿 yanlış anlaşılmış

🇲🇽 malinterpretado

Etymology

The word 'misconstrued' originates from the Middle English 'misconstruen', derived from the prefix 'mis-' meaning wrongly, and the Old French 'construire' which means to build or construct. The term has evolved through centuries, influenced by legal and literary contexts where precision of language is crucial. In legal settings, for example, the misconstruing of a statute can lead to significant implications. The term reflects the broader theme of interpretation and the potential for error in communication, a topic of importance in philosophy, linguistics, and interpersonal relations. Its usage continues to be relevant in discussions about clarity and intention in both verbal and written communication.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #25,825, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.