misunderstand
[ mis-uhn-der-stand ]
/ ˌmɪs ʌn dərˈstænd /
verb (used with object), mis·un·der·stood, mis·un·der·stand·ing.
to take (words, statements, etc.) in a wrong sense; understand wrongly.
to fail to understand or interpret rightly the words or behavior of.
Origin of misunderstand
First recorded in 1150–1200,
misunderstand is from the Middle English word
misunderstanden. See
mis-1,
understand
SYNONYMS FOR misunderstand
OTHER WORDS FROM misunderstand
mis·un·der·stand·er, nounWords nearby misunderstand
mistrust,
mistrustful,
mistryst,
misty,
misty-eyed,
misunderstand,
misunderstanding,
misunderstood,
misusage,
misuse,
misuser
Example sentences from the Web for misunderstand
British Dictionary definitions for misunderstand
misunderstand
/ (ˌmɪsʌndəˈstænd) /
verb -stands, -standing or -stood
to fail to understand properly