Misunderstand

To fail to correctly interpret the meaning of something; to interpret something wrongly. This often involves misinterpreting spoken or written words, actions, or situations, leading to confusion, conflict, or incorrect conclusions. The misunderstanding can stem from various factors like ambiguous language, cultural differences, lack of context, or personal biases. It can also involve not fully grasping another person's intentions or feelings. The consequences range from minor inconveniences to significant relational breakdowns and poor decisions.

Misunderstand meaning with examples

• He misunderstood my instructions about the deadline, thinking it was next week instead of this Friday. This misunderstanding caused him to miss the initial submission. He now faces potential penalties and a delay in the project's completion, frustrating the whole team.
• Because of the language barrier, I often misunderstand what my international colleagues are trying to convey during meetings. The different phrasing and cultural nuances contribute to frequent instances of confusion and misinterpretation.
• She misunderstood the joke and took offense to it, leading to an argument. It was not his intention to offend her, but she was quite sensitive about the subject matter.
• The detective misunderstood the witness's vague statement, which ultimately led him to investigate the wrong suspect in the murder case. This mistake nearly allowed the true killer to escape justice.
• They misunderstood each other's expectations regarding the division of household chores. Their unresolved misunderstanding gradually led to resentment and tension within their relationship.