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
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Recent Examples of misunderstanding
Leonard David, Space.com, 16 May 2025
After the game, Nuno’s explanation for Awoniyi being shown back onto the pitch after his collision was that there had been a misunderstanding and miscommunication.
—Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 15 May 2025
In this instance there was a weird misunderstanding about which some of the people on the WGA Board chose to assume the worst.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 10 May 2025
However, after a misunderstanding possibly stemming from his hat, a spear was thrown which was then met by musketfire, luckily ending in no deaths, according to Powell.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for misunderstanding
Noun
The report also calls for the creation of a space hotline with China, to be used to lower the risks of miscalculation or misunderstanding as the U.S. and China continue to militarize Earth's orbit.
—Leonard David, Space.com, 16 May 2025
After the game, Nuno’s explanation for Awoniyi being shown back onto the pitch after his collision was that there had been a misunderstanding and miscommunication.
—Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 15 May 2025
In this instance there was a weird misunderstanding about which some of the people on the WGA Board chose to assume the worst.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 10 May 2025
However, after a misunderstanding possibly stemming from his hat, a spear was thrown which was then met by musketfire, luckily ending in no deaths, according to Powell.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for misunderstanding
Recent Examples of Synonyms for misunderstanding
Noun
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Choosing smoothies low in protein and fiber, adding sugary ingredients to your smoothie, and using low-calorie smoothies as meal replacements are just some of the smoothie mistakes that could be sabotaging your weight loss efforts.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
3 June 2025
-
Unai Simon had made a really bad mistake and Enrique was consoling him after the game.—
The Totally Football Show,
New York Times,
2 June 2025
Noun
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Those CBAs also require that should there be a dispute as to whether the league, a club, a union, or a player abided by their obligations under the CBA, such dispute be settled through a confidential arbitration process.—
Chris Deubert,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
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The Supreme Court on May 27 declined to get involved in a dispute about mining on land sacred to the San Carlos Apache Tribe, a case that religious groups backed to test the scope of a 1993 federal law protecting religious freedom.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
28 May 2025
Verb
-
The bodies of both children missing after a massive fire ripped through a full block of a New Jersey neighborhood earlier this week have been recovered.—
Jessica Schladebeck,
New York Daily News,
11 Apr. 2025
-
That’s the sort of depth the Lions have been missing.—
Colton Pouncy,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Don’t leave room for misinterpretation—have the conversation in person.—
Julia Korn,
Forbes,
11 Mar. 2025
-
All in all, this transit could result in communication breakdowns, misinterpretations or even intense, power plays that bring hidden agendas to light.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
12 May 2025
Noun
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The suit recounts numerous comments made by Trump and the White House attacking PBS’ content, to underscore the point that the defunding is motivated by disagreement over speech.—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
30 May 2025
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The question – at the center of disagreements over transgender athletes’ participation in sports – has echoed from high school running tracks to Olympic arenas as lawmakers and sports bodies face intense pressure to weigh in on a debate over what fair play looks like.—
Elizabeth Wolfe,
CNN Money,
29 May 2025
Noun
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Jaques said officers at 7:49 a.m. on Sunday received a complaint from a woman who reported that someone was following her vehicle while waving a gun following an altercation at a local gas station.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
27 May 2025
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Initial data provided by the department suggest that practicing the martial art not only helps boost officers' physical and mental health, but also enables cops to use less force during an arrest or altercation.—
Katja Ridderbusch,
NPR,
26 May 2025
Noun
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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
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The defense attorney suggested that Cassie’s rape allegation stemmed from a complicated quarrel playing out as their decade-plus relationship came to an end.—
Victoria Bekiempis,
Vulture,
16 May 2025
-
Other great powers will have their territorial goals and quarrels and this does not normally concern you.—
Frank Lavin,
Forbes.com,
4 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Misunderstanding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misunderstanding. Accessed 7 Jun. 2025.
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