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Definition of misunderstood

misunderstood

/ˌmɪs.ʌn.dɚˈstʊd/
mis · un · der · stood
Past Simple:misunderstood
•
Past Participle:misunderstood
•
Present Participle:misunderstanding
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misunderstood Lexical Profile

misunderstood Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Incorrectly interpreted, perceived, or comprehended.

Example

"The author clarified the most misunderstood passage of her novel during the interview."

2

Having one's true nature, feelings, or intentions unfairly judged or unappreciated by others.

Example

"The reclusive artist often felt like a misunderstood genius among his contemporaries."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• verb

1

To fail to interpret or comprehend someone or something correctly (past tense and past participle of misunderstand).

Example

"I completely misunderstood the instructions and assembled the bookshelf backward."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for misunderstood
Antonyms
View all antonyms for misunderstood

• Rhymes for misunderstood

• Nearby Words

misunderstand
misunderstandable
misunderstanding
misunderstood
misuse
misuser
miswrite

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed from the Middle English verb 'misunderstanden', combining the prefix 'mis-' (badly, wrongly) with 'understanden' (to comprehend, from Old English 'understandan').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Misunderstood. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/misunderstood
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