Misunderstand: meaning, definitions and examples

This word is commonly used in everyday situations when someone fails to grasp the correct meaning of something that was said or written.

• I misunderstood what you said about the meeting time.
• Don't misunderstand my intentions; I just want to help.

This word is used in situations where someone has incorrectly understood a complex statement, often involving data, documents, or literature. It has a slightly technical feel.

• It's easy to misinterpret the results of the study.
• The directions were misinterpreted, leading to a wrong turn.

This is often used in more formal contexts or written communications to describe interpreting words or actions in the wrong way, usually leading to confusion and incorrect conclusions.

• The media misconstrued his comments as a political attack.
• Her silence was misconstrued as a sign of disapproval.

Used more formally, this word is about incorrectly understanding a situation or perceiving something in the wrong way. It often involves visual or sensory misunderstandings.

• He misperceived the layout of the room and bumped into a table.
• The team's strategy was misperceived by the audience as playing defensively.