misunderstanding

1 of 2

noun

mis·​un·​der·​stand·​ing (ˌ)mi-ˌsən-dər-ˈstan-diŋ How to pronounce misunderstanding (audio)
Synonyms of misunderstandingnext
1
: a failure to understand : misinterpretation
The instructions were carefully written to prevent misunderstanding.
2
: quarrel, disagreement
an unfortunate misunderstanding between two old friends

misunderstanding

2 of 2

present participle of misunderstand

Synonyms of misunderstanding

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Noun

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Examples of misunderstanding in a Sentence

Noun The instructions are carefully written in order to avoid misunderstanding. Her comments reflect a misunderstanding of the basic problem. using clear language to avoid misunderstandings an unfortunate misunderstanding between old friends We had our little misunderstandings in the past but we managed to clear them up long ago.
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Noun
If that assistant has permission to complete bookings, a misunderstanding could potentially result in an unwanted reservation. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026 As romance gives way to heartbreak, misunderstandings and difficult choices, the sisters may not always see eye to eye. — Charley Ward, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Oct. 2026 And this was his opportunity to get in front of Chicago voters and that answer is just a fundamental misunderstanding of what happened here. — Chris Tye, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026 What Art of Play could have done differently Paul Fombelle, an associate professor of marketing at Northeastern University’s D’Amore-McKim School of Business, told Fortune that the encounter may have been a genuine misunderstanding. — Bilin Lin, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for misunderstanding

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of misunderstanding was in the 15th century

Rhymes for misunderstanding

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Browse Nearby Words

misunderstand
misunderstanding
misunderstandingly
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Cite this Entry

“Misunderstanding.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/misunderstanding. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

misunderstanding

noun
mis·​un·​der·​stand·​ing
(ˌ)mis-ˌən-dər-ˈstan-diŋ
1
: a failure to understand
2
: disagreement sense 2b, quarrel
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