Misconstrued: meaning, definitions and examples
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misconstrued
[ˌmɪskənˈstruː ]
Definition
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.
Interesting Facts
Etymology
- The word comes from the prefix 'mis-', meaning wrong, and the Latin 'construere', meaning to build or interpret.
- It has been used in English since the 16th century, indicating the long-standing challenge of misinterpretation.
Law
- In legal contexts, a misconstrued statement can lead to misunderstandings that significantly alter the meaning of a contract or law.
- Courts often address whether a defendant’s actions were misconstrued by weighing the intention behind statements.
Psychology
- Misconstruing or misinterpreting others’ words can lead to conflict in relationships, as intentions might be misread.
- Cognitive biases often play a role in misconstruing messages, particularly when individuals rely on preconceived notions.
Communication
- Nonverbal cues can heavily influence whether something is misconstrued; tone, body language, and facial expressions play key roles.
- Clarifying questions and active listening are techniques that can help prevent misconstruing what someone means.
Literature
- Famous literary works often explore themes of misunderstanding, like 'Romeo and Juliet', where characters misconstrue each other’s intentions.
- Misconstrued dialogue in literature serves to drive plots forward, highlighting character flaws or societal issues.
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