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
Where modern novels might have opposites meeting at work, separated by a misunderstanding and reunited with a kiss and solid communication, ancient novels are quite different. — Literary Hub, 30 June 2026 After Alicent’s misunderstanding — which leads to Aegon II claiming the throne — Rhaenyra prepares for war and gathers allies to fight for her rightful claim to the throne. — Skyler Trepel, PEOPLE, 22 June 2026
Verb
Sharing the same city also helps with simple things like meeting at the office, reviewing accident scenes, or misunderstanding traffic patterns and neighborhoods. — Matt Emma, USA Today, 17 Feb. 2026 David Schurman Wallace on misunderstanding Gertrude Stein. — Literary Hub, 3 Apr. 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
  • Despite the full lineup and passionate patriotic crowd in Seattle, Team USA looked uncomfortable from the start, fell behind early, made sloppy mistakes and could not keep up with the Belgians, who move on to face Spain in the quarterfinals.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 7 July 2026
  • The scribe carefully inscribed each line with a quill made from a goose feather, while their other hand wielded an erasing knife used to sharpen the quill and scrape away any mistakes.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 July 2026
Definition of mistake
Noun
  • Herzog won a power struggle in the front office, then quit anyway, amid disputes with ownership.
    — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • The court was established in 2001 and began functioning four years later as both an international court to settle disputes among Caribbean countries and as a final court of appeal.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 6 July 2026
Definition of dispute
Verb
  • In the early days, the page teemed with posts sharing objects found, along with heartfelt and, at times, gut-wrenching pleas for missing personal items.
    — Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
  • Buxton rejoined the Twins on Saturday after missing the team’s previous four games with a right hip impingement.
    — Dan Hayes, New York Times, 6 July 2026
Definition of missing
Noun
  • To prevent misinterpretation and reduce anxiety, leaders should establish clear exit norms.
    — Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
  • There’s been some willful misinterpretation by the media in response.
    — Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 26 June 2026
Definition of misinterpretation
Noun
  • Some states chose not to send representatives; several of them cited disagreements with the partisan mission.
    — Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 3 July 2026
  • The city commission reached a major step forward on the project after months of delays and disagreements over the best way to replace the old City Hall, which was damaged beyond repair by the historic flooding of April 2023.
    — Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 3 July 2026
Definition of disagreement
Verb
  • Professionals must actively map where their risk truly lies, assessing counterparty exposure, income correlation, and cost repricing, rather than mistaking simplicity for safety.
    — Henrik Totterman, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
  • But there’s almost no mistaking Cretan food as ‘health’ food in the stereotypical sense.
    — Shannon McMahon, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 July 2026
Definition of mistaking
Noun
  • What a misreading of the moment that was.
    — Laura Secor, The Atlantic, 16 June 2026
  • But a person familiar with the US-Israel discussions said the gap reflects a deeper misreading on Israel’s part.
    — Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 29 May 2026
Definition of misreading
Noun
  • The altercation involving Sandoval, Robinson and her father happened in the early morning hours after the couple returned home from a night out at a bar, according to both accounts.
    — Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
  • Angelo and the woman’s fiancé got into a brief altercation that resulted in an exchange of gunfire.
    — Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 6 July 2026
Definition of altercation

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Cite this Entry

“Misunderstanding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misunderstanding. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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