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to misinterpret

to misinterpret

23 4.2
To understand something in the wrong way
  • verb
  • /ˌmɪsˈɪntərprɪt/
translation icon : malinterpretar
  • I often worry that people will misinterpret my intentions when I speak too bluntly.
  • the danger of misinterpreting
  • readers who misinterpret
  • misinterpret actions

We misunderstand and misinterpret our role in relationships.

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Examples

  • I don't understand how anyone could misinterpret Paul's words in Romans about the Jewish people.

    Blog text (9)
  • I think people might misinterpret what you mean by "trick or treat."

  • It's a little hard to misinterpret that.

  • Did I misinterpret it all?

  • A lot of kids misinterpret joking around as aggression.

  • Michael continued to misinterpret Professor Smith's feedback after meeting with him during office hours.

    Academic text (2015)
  • Could Houston be misinterpreting the data?

  • I don't want people to misinterpret what you're saying.

  • Do not misinterpret me.

  • Without a comprehensive framework for understanding giftedness, parents might be more prone to misinterpret some of their children's behavior.

    Academic text (1995)

Synonyms

to misread
vsto misinterpret
56 3.4

To understand words or actions in the wrong way

applies to wrong interpretation or explanation beyond reading alone
to misunderstand
vsto misinterpret
53 1.8

To think something is true when it is not

is about understanding or explaining something in the wrong way
to misconstrue
vsto misinterpret
22 7.7

To understand what someone says or does in the wrong way

is wider, covering wrong interpretation of any content not only intent
to misconceive
vsto misinterpret
1 7.5

To understand something in the wrong way

focuses more on giving a wrong explanation than on mere thought
to misperceive
vsto misinterpret
1 7.7

To understand something in the wrong way

covers wrong understanding or explanation that is not limited to senses
to misapprehend
vsto misinterpret
1 8.2

To understand something wrongly

highlights wrong explanation rather than just a mistaken impression
to misprise
vsto misinterpret
  • Archaic
9.9

To understand something in the wrong way

is the standard term for wrong interpretation or explanation

Antonyms

386 3.3

To explain what something means

How Accurate

to clarify
248 3.3
to interpret
386 3.3
to misinterpret
23 4.2
to misread
56 3.4

Surface Forms

misinterpret infinitive
misinterpreted past participle
misinterpreting present participle
misinterprets third person singular

Morphology

misinterpret = interpret (transparent) = mis + interpret

Formed by the productive prefix 'mis-' meaning 'wrongly' plus the verb 'interpret', so the meaning 'interpret incorrectly' is straightforward for learners.

Etymology

Misinterpret combines mis- ('wrong') and interpret ('explain' or 'translate'), so it literally means to 'explain wrongly'. Imagine an interpreter who gives the wrong meaning, and you have a clear picture of how someone can misinterpret words or actions.