misinterpret

[ mis-in-tur-prit ]

/ ˌmɪs ɪnˈtɜr prɪt /

to interpret, explain, or understand incorrectly.

Origin of misinterpret

First recorded in 1580–90; mis-¹ + interpret

mis·in·ter·pret·a·ble, adjective mis·in·ter·pre·ta·tion, noun mis·in·ter·pret·er, noun un·mis·in·ter·pret·a·ble, adjective

According to Schumer, Obama and his administration had misinterpreted their 2008 electoral mandate.

2016 Is No Democratic Slam Dunk |Lloyd Green |December 1, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
So, people have misinterpreted the word “feminist” to be a dividing word as opposed to a uniting one.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt on Why He’s Exploring the Word ‘Feminism’ and Online Misogyny |Marlow Stern |September 22, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Elvis (n.): A Christmas elf, as misinterpreted by Alana, who in one episode mistakes, “Elvis helps Santa Claus make toys.”

‘Here Comes Honey Boo Boo’: A Glossary |Kevin Fallon |July 17, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
She talked about a recent opposition art project that Putin misinterpreted.

Pussy Riot’s Yekaterina Samutsevich Speaks Out |Anna Nemtsova |November 30, 2012 |DAILY BEAST

It is a narrative grounded in evidence that has been “rejected, suppressed, misinterpreted,” Morris says.

Errol Morris’s “A Wilderness of Error” Revisits Jeffrey MacDonald Case |Raymond Bonner |August 30, 2012 |DAILY BEAST
The world's early historic chronology, it is now universally admitted, has been misinterpreted.

The Archaeology and Prehistoric Annals of Scotland |Daniel Wilson
Our forced inaction had, as I anticipated, been misinterpreted by the Nagas.

My Experiences in Manipur and the Naga Hills |James Johnstone
She had misinterpreted his motive and had believed that he had come to confess to her his own failure.

The Kingdom Round the Corner |Coningsby Dawson
And Newman misinterpreted those smiles completely; especially Bernice's.

Subspace Survivors |E. E. Smith
He misinterpreted my silence, and thought me overwhelmed with remorse at the part I had played.

Piccadilly |Laurence Oliphant

misinterpret

/ (ˌmɪsɪnˈtɜːprɪt) /

(tr) to interpret badly, misleadingly, or incorrectly

misinterpretation, noun misinterpreter, noun