Misjudged - Definition, Meaning, and Examples in English

Definition

^{Context #1 | Verb}

incorrect assessment

Misjudged is the past tense of the verb misjudge, which means to form an incorrect opinion or judgment about something or someone. It often arises from misunderstanding or lack of information. For example, someone might misjudge a person's character based solely on their appearance or first impression. Misjudging can lead to negative consequences in relationships and situations, as it may result in unfair treatment or decisions based on faulty assumptions.

Synonyms

miscalculate, misinterpret, misread, mistake.

Examples of usage

She misjudged his intentions and ended up in a conflict.
Many people misjudged the risks involved in the project.
He misjudged the reaction of the audience to his speech.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

Humans often misjudge others based on first impressions, which can be influenced by appearance and behavior.
Cognitive biases, such as the Halo Effect, cause people to misjudge others by letting one positive trait overshadow their overall evaluation.
Social psychologists emphasize that empathy can reduce the chances of misjudging someone, as understanding their background can lead to more accurate evaluations.

Literature

Many classic novels feature characters who are misjudged by society, showcasing the theme of misunderstanding—like Elizabeth Bennet in 'Pride and Prejudice'.
Shakespeare’s 'Othello' illustrates how characters are misjudged, leading to tragic consequences due to manipulation and false perceptions.
In modern literature, the trope of a misunderstood hero captures readers’ attention, as characters often deal with the fallout of being misjudged.

Pop Culture

The plot of the movie 'Mean Girls' revolves around high school cliques, where characters often misjudge one another based on rumors.
Reality TV often highlights how contestants are misjudged by viewers who form opinions without full context.
Famous songs like 'I’m Not the Only One' by Sam Smith explore themes of being misjudged in relationships, resonating with many listeners.

Social Impact

Misjudging someone's intentions can lead to conflicts and misunderstandings in personal and professional relationships.
In today's digital age, social media can amplify the chances of misjudgment, as people often base opinions on curated content rather than real-life interactions.
Programs promoting inclusivity work to address and reduce the misjudgment of marginalized communities, fostering understanding and acceptance.

Origin of 'misjudged'

Main points about word origin

The word 'misjudged' combines the prefix 'mis-', meaning wrong or imperfect, with 'judged', which comes from the Old French 'juger', meaning to form an opinion.
Using 'mis-' as a prefix in English can denote incorrect actions, as seen in words like 'misunderstood' and 'misguided'.
'Judged' has its roots in Latin, from the word 'judicare', which means to judge or to decide.

The term 'misjudge' is derived from the combination of the prefix 'mis-', meaning wrong or incorrect, and the word 'judge', which comes from the Old French 'jugier', and Latin 'judicare', meaning to judge or to decide. The prefix 'mis-' has been used in the English language since the 14th century to denote the idea of error or wrongness. The notion of misjudging someone or a situation encapsulates the human tendency to form opinions based on incomplete information or biases. Over time, the usage of the term has evolved to encompass various contexts, particularly in legal, social, and interpersonal scenarios, where erroneous judgments can have significant repercussions.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #25,824, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.

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25821 determinedly
25822 posh
25823 cornet
25824 misjudged
25825 misconstrued
25826 reposing
25827 fielded
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Misjudged Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations