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Misinterpret: meaning, definitions and examples

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misinterpret

 

[ ˌmɪsɪnˈtɜːprɪt ]

Verb / Noun
Context #1 | Verb

communication

To understand or explain something incorrectly; to interpret wrongly.

Synonyms

misconstrue, misread, misunderstand

Examples of usage

  • She misinterpreted his intentions and got upset.
  • The message was misinterpreted, causing confusion among the team members.
Context #2 | Verb

action

To interpret (a person's remarks or actions) wrongly.

Synonyms

misapprehend, misconstrue, misjudge

Examples of usage

  • It's easy to misinterpret silence as agreement.
  • Don't misinterpret her kindness as a sign of weakness.
Context #3 | Noun

communication

An incorrect interpretation or understanding of something.

Synonyms

misconception, misperception, misunderstanding

Examples of usage

  • The misinterpretation of the data led to wrong conclusions.
  • There was a misinterpretation of the artist's intentions in the art exhibition.

Translations

Translations of the word "misinterpret" in other languages:

🇵🇹 interpretar mal

🇮🇳 गलत व्याख्या करना

🇩🇪 missverstehen

🇮🇩 salah mengartikan

🇺🇦 неправильно тлумачити

🇵🇱 źle interpretować

🇯🇵 誤解する

🇫🇷 mal interpréter

🇪🇸 malinterpretar

🇹🇷 yanlış yorumlamak

🇰🇷 오해하다

🇸🇦 يسيء الفهم

🇨🇿 špatně vyložit

🇸🇰 nesprávne interpretovať

🇨🇳 误解

🇸🇮 narobe razlagati

🇮🇸 mistúlka

🇰🇿 қате түсіндіру

🇬🇪 არასწორი ინტერპრეტაცია

🇦🇿 səhv başa düşmək

🇲🇽 malinterpretar

Etymology

The word 'misinterpret' originates from the combination of 'mis-' (wrongly) and 'interpret', which comes from the Latin word 'interpretari' meaning 'explain, expound'. The concept of misinterpretation has been present throughout history, as language and communication are prone to errors and misunderstandings. In various fields such as law, diplomacy, and everyday interactions, misinterpretation can have significant consequences, highlighting the importance of clear and accurate communication.

See also: interpret, interpretable, interpretation, interpretations, interpretative, interpreter, interpreting, interpretive, misinterpretation, reinterpret, reinterpretation.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #27,465, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.