misunderstanding 1 of 2

noun

(ˌ)mi-ˌsən-dər-ˈstan-diŋ How to pronounce misunderstanding (audio)
Definition of misunderstandingnext
1
as in mistake
a failure to understand correctly people once thought that there were canals on Mars because of a common misunderstanding of a report by an Italian astronomer

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dispute
an often noisy or angry expression of differing opinions tried to resolve their misunderstandings peacefully

Synonyms & Similar Words

misunderstanding

2 of 2

verb

present participle of misunderstand
as in missing
to fail to understand the true or actual meaning of you misunderstood that poem because you took everything so literally

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of misunderstanding
Noun
The producers feel this is all something of a misunderstanding. — Brian Welk, IndieWire, 24 Sep. 2026 So much so, that after a misunderstanding at Grace and Keith’s wedding rehearsal dinner, harsh words were screamed, and Keith challenged my husband, Jason, to a fistfight. — Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 23 Sep. 2026
Verb
There has already been some backlash to the project, with fans apparently misunderstanding the scope of the technology. — Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 9 June 2026 In an article coming tomorrow, Clint Smith explores the betrayal of Black military officers, calling out the forces of reaction for misunderstanding the nature of patriotism. — The Atlantic, 8 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for misunderstanding
Recent Examples of Synonyms for misunderstanding
  1. mistake
  2. dispute
  3. missing
  4. misinterpretation
  5. disagreement
  6. mistaking
  7. misreading
  8. altercation
Noun
  • But elevating the whims of progressive activists and government bureaucrats above the wisdom of the marketplace has proven a costly mistake and undermined consumer choice.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Guys will make a mistake that will lead to busted assignments, penalties, big plays for the opponents, if not a touchdown.
    — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of mistake
Noun
  • Seaver’s dispute with Danny Nozell, Parton’s longtime manager and the sole manager of She’s Alive LLC, first spilled into public view when Nozell sued him last month and sought the restraining order.
    — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Sentara Health, a hospital system in Virginia with more than $14 billion of revenue, recently went through a contract dispute with Anthem, the health plan owned by Elevance Health.
    — Bob Herman, STAT, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of dispute
Verb
  • After missing the team’s first three games because of a knee injury, defensive back Chamarri Conner is set to make his 2026 debut.
    — Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Shares are down another 8% after missing on revenue and issuing a very light sales forecast for fiscal 2027.
    — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of missing
Noun
  • The hiring manager’s standards stop living only in people’s heads and start living in the system, applied without misinterpretation or human bias.
    — Pradeep Prasana Kanagaraj, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Sánchez, who faces an election next year, has said a misinterpretation of a Supreme Court ruling and disinformation on social media encouraged people to rush the border.
    — Suman Naishadham, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of misinterpretation
Noun
  • The theory does not turn every workplace disagreement or questionable management decision into a wrongful-termination case.
    — William Jones, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • But disagreement within one court does not establish a split between appeals courts.
    — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of disagreement
Verb
  • Klobuchar suggested that Schmitt was mistaking the Hawkeyes for the Atlanta Hawks.
    — Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Carutasu was involved in another fatal shooting the following year, in which officers shot and killed 35-year-old Mario Sanchez after mistaking the cellphone in his hands for a firearm.
    — Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of mistaking
Noun
  • But where Hwan’s Christianity is a willful, grotesque misreading of the Bible, Latif actively wrestles with his moral shortcomings.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
  • But this response is a fundamental misreading of the genre and of its audience.
    — Rebecca Stafford, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of misreading
Noun
  • One of Bonner's friends appeared to get into an argument with the third man as the second male friend attempted to hold him back from an altercation.
    — Anders Hagstrom, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Chicago Alderman Michelle Harris said at Sunday's community vigil that the suspect had allegedly gotten into an altercation with staff at a wireless store in the Chatham neighborhood just before the fatal stabbing, WLS reported.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of altercation

Browse Nearby Words

misunderstand
misunderstanding
misunderstandings
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Cite this Entry

“Misunderstanding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misunderstanding. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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