misunderstanding
noun
mis·un·der·stand·ing
(ˌ)mi-ˌsən-dər-ˈstan-diŋ 
1
: a failure to understand : misinterpretation
The instructions were carefully written to prevent misunderstanding.
2
: quarrel, disagreement
an unfortunate misunderstanding between two old friends
Examples of misunderstanding in a Sentence
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.
Recent Examples on the Web
Whether personally or professionally, misunderstandings are likely.
—
Valerie Mesa, People.com, 19 Feb. 2025
Those incentives - $25 per qualifying video up to a maximum of $12,500 for 500 videos - highlighted a fundamental misunderstanding of how social commerce actually works.
—Kiri Masters, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025
In Wagner’s libretto, the second act closes with a comedic riot sparked by a misunderstanding and an attack on the character Beckmesser, a pedantic villain coded as a kind of Jewish outsider.
—Joshua Barone, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2025
Unlike the fairy-tale stories often seen on television, the two showed us a union that felt real—complete with petty fights, ridiculous misunderstandings, and playful banter.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for misunderstanding
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Valerie Mesa, People.com, 19 Feb. 2025
Those incentives - $25 per qualifying video up to a maximum of $12,500 for 500 videos - highlighted a fundamental misunderstanding of how social commerce actually works.
—Kiri Masters, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025
In Wagner’s libretto, the second act closes with a comedic riot sparked by a misunderstanding and an attack on the character Beckmesser, a pedantic villain coded as a kind of Jewish outsider.
—Joshua Barone, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2025
Unlike the fairy-tale stories often seen on television, the two showed us a union that felt real—complete with petty fights, ridiculous misunderstandings, and playful banter.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for misunderstanding
Cite this Entry
“Misunderstanding.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/misunderstanding. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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