misinterpret

verb

mis·​in·​ter·​pret ˌmi-sᵊn-ˈtər-prət How to pronounce misinterpret (audio)
-pət
misinterpreted; misinterpreting; misinterprets
Synonyms of misinterpretnext

transitive verb

1
: to explain wrongly
His comment on the speech misinterprets the speaker's meaning.
2
: to understand wrongly
Their silence should not be misinterpreted as consent.

Examples of misinterpret in a Sentence

He claims that his statements have been misinterpreted by the media. Her silence should not be misinterpreted as consent.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Keep your messages direct so nothing gets misinterpreted. Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 22 Apr. 2026 And now the pope says some of his remarks have been misinterpreted. CBS News, 19 Apr. 2026 O’Hare first contacted Kim about the vote being misinterpreted about a month before the February commissioners meeting, Willett noted. Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Apr. 2026 These patients are less likely to ask clarifying questions, more likely to misinterpret discharge instructions, and more likely to present later and sicker. Torie Bosch, STAT, 11 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for misinterpret

Word History

First Known Use

1547, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of misinterpret was in 1547

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Cite this Entry

“Misinterpret.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/dictionary/misinterpret. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

misinterpret

verb
mis·​in·​ter·​pret ˌmis-ᵊn-ˈtər-prət How to pronounce misinterpret (audio)
-pət
: to understand or explain wrongly
misinterpretation noun

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