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
Relevance
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
as in missing
to fail to understand the true or actual meaning of
you misunderstood that poem because you took everything so literally
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 18 July 2025
Another is any cultural or generational differences that could occur, causing misunderstandings or friction.
—Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 11 July 2025
Shifting students toward certain degrees for economic development purposes is a misunderstanding of the role of higher education and the economy at large, faculty and staff said.
—Cate Charron, IndyStar, 7 July 2025
Another reader sent an annotated version of my column to me, showing a fundamental misunderstanding of my column and pretty much everything else.
—Matt Fleming, Oc Register, 13 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for misunderstanding
Noun
But Lamont’s office insisted there had been a misunderstanding and that the governor always planned to offer raises to all bargaining units.
—Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 18 July 2025
Another is any cultural or generational differences that could occur, causing misunderstandings or friction.
—Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 11 July 2025
Shifting students toward certain degrees for economic development purposes is a misunderstanding of the role of higher education and the economy at large, faculty and staff said.
—Cate Charron, IndyStar, 7 July 2025
Another reader sent an annotated version of my column to me, showing a fundamental misunderstanding of my column and pretty much everything else.
—Matt Fleming, Oc Register, 13 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for misunderstanding
Recent Examples of Synonyms for misunderstanding
Noun
-
Skull emoji: This emoji is often used to mock someone's mistake or appearance.—
Sherri Gordon,
Parents,
21 July 2025
-
But when mistakes are punished or hidden, innovation stops in its tracks.—
IESE Business School,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
Noun
-
Threads on the South Park subreddit and social media have lit up with foul-mouthed complaints from international fans, most of them directed at Paramount and David Ellison’s Skydance Media, whose $8 billion buyout of Paramount is at the heart of the South Park dispute.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
14 July 2025
-
But there are still some sour grapes about the big tactical dispute in February.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
14 July 2025
Verb
-
Stewart went scoreless, missing his only shot attempt, had a rebound, an assist and a block.—
Hunter Patterson,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
-
The search continues for a 29-year-old woman whose car was discovered in a rural county in Oregon after she was reported missing six days ago, authorities said.—
Sam Gillette,
People.com,
11 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Press junkets came with loaded questions about his background, early websites were devoted to hating Jar Jar, and there were misinterpretations about the character's intentions.—
Jordan Hoffman,
EW.com,
13 July 2025
-
Simple terms also leave less room for mistakes and misinterpretation.—
Adrian Dearnell,
Forbes.com,
10 July 2025
Noun
-
Internal disagreements among board members further complicate SDC's situation.—
Gina Lee Castro,
jsonline.com,
18 July 2025
-
Because of this, students should note that the topic of the disagreement matters far less than how the disagreement illuminates the student’s capacity for reflection, listening, and growth.—
Christopher Rim,
Forbes.com,
17 July 2025
Noun
-
During the altercation, a man pulled a gun and shot Ramirez.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
23 July 2025
-
See Jackie Christie and Chantel’s unfortunate altercation above.—
Amber Corrine,
VIBE.com,
22 July 2025
Noun
-
Counsel should try to foresee and prevent any misconstruction.—
Joshua Stein,
Forbes,
15 Mar. 2025
-
Counsel should try to foresee and prevent any misconstruction.—
Joshua Stein,
Forbes,
15 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Your celestial ruler, Mercury, will also station retrograde in your communication sector (for the win), triggering misunderstandings and unnecessary quarrels with siblings or neighbors.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
8 July 2025
-
According to writer and historian Geoffrey C. Ward, Johnson had his quarrels inside and outside the ring.—
Marley Malenfant,
Austin American Statesman,
2 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Misunderstanding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misunderstanding. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share