Misconstruction

Misconstruction is the act or an instance of interpreting something, such as a statement, an action, or a piece of evidence, incorrectly or inaccurately. It involves forming a wrong understanding or meaning, often due to a misunderstanding of the context, intent, or factual basis. This can lead to false conclusions, judgments, or actions based on the flawed interpretation. A misconstruction can be a genuine error or a deliberate twisting of the truth to serve a particular purpose, and can involve the misunderstanding of the source information, the way in which information is delivered, or the bias of the interpreter.

Misconstruction meaning with examples

• The politician's offhand remark was subject to widespread misconstruction in the media, with many outlets taking his words out of context and attributing to him views he did not hold. This led to a public outcry and damaged his reputation. The subsequent investigation found a deliberate manipulation of the quote, further fueling the debate over ethical journalism.
• The ambiguous wording in the contract led to a misconstruction of the terms by the client, resulting in a costly legal dispute. The lawyer argued that the vagueness of the phrasing made the contract inherently vulnerable to such misunderstandings, costing his clients millions. The judge ultimately ruled in favor of the party that could demonstrate the intent behind the writing.
• Her initial skepticism about his motives was a misconstruction based on her past experiences. She projected her own biases onto his actions, falsely assuming he had ulterior motives. She subsequently realised her mistake when she had the information to base a real assessment on his intentions after speaking to him directly.
• The artist's avant-garde installation was met with a series of negative reviews and widespread misconstruction of its intended message. Critics failed to grasp the artistic concepts behind the work, viewing it instead as pretentious and lacking substance. This highlighted the gap between artistic intent and audience perception.