1
as in misrepresenting
to change so much as to create a wrong impression or alter the meaning of
his note on this passage in the novel seriously misinterprets the author's meaning
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in misunderstanding
to fail to understand the true or actual meaning of
we misinterpreted the directions and ended up on the wrong side of town
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of misinterpreting
Comey says the image was political commentary, not a call to violence, and removed the post immediately after realizing some people were misinterpreting it as threatening.
—
Eric Tucker, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026
The economist argues the market is misinterpreting how the Fed will react to the current energy shock.
—Jake Angelo, Fortune, 19 Mar. 2026
Although uncommon, some public figures and health professionals have claimed that the vaccines could cause cancer despite ample contradictory evidence, often by misinterpreting or misrepresenting studies.
—Dannell D. Boatman, The Conversation, 17 Mar. 2026
The school divisions sued, arguing the federal government is misinterpreting Title IX and unlawfully using federal funding to coerce local policy changes.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 29 Jan. 2026
The developer’s legal team says Hollywood officials are misinterpreting state law by refusing to accept Margaritaville as the height benchmark.
—Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2026
Allegations that are now spreading online could be misinterpreting records or exaggerating minor issues — or could be exposing actual fraudulent activity.
—Jude Joffe-Block, NPR, 7 Jan. 2026
Mainstream climate scientists heavily criticized the report for cherry-picking evidence and misinterpreting key climate science findings.
—Ella Nilsen, CNN Money, 11 Dec. 2025
Melvoin said that some schools are misinterpreting districtwide policies about learning assessment software and that the district needs a better accounting of how schools are using devices.
—Tyler Kingkade, NBC news, 5 Dec. 2025
Eric Tucker, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026
The economist argues the market is misinterpreting how the Fed will react to the current energy shock.
—Jake Angelo, Fortune, 19 Mar. 2026
Although uncommon, some public figures and health professionals have claimed that the vaccines could cause cancer despite ample contradictory evidence, often by misinterpreting or misrepresenting studies.
—Dannell D. Boatman, The Conversation, 17 Mar. 2026
The school divisions sued, arguing the federal government is misinterpreting Title IX and unlawfully using federal funding to coerce local policy changes.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 29 Jan. 2026
The developer’s legal team says Hollywood officials are misinterpreting state law by refusing to accept Margaritaville as the height benchmark.
—Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2026
Allegations that are now spreading online could be misinterpreting records or exaggerating minor issues — or could be exposing actual fraudulent activity.
—Jude Joffe-Block, NPR, 7 Jan. 2026
Mainstream climate scientists heavily criticized the report for cherry-picking evidence and misinterpreting key climate science findings.
—Ella Nilsen, CNN Money, 11 Dec. 2025
Melvoin said that some schools are misinterpreting districtwide policies about learning assessment software and that the district needs a better accounting of how schools are using devices.
—Tyler Kingkade, NBC news, 5 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for misinterpreting
Verb
-
California’s consumer protection and false advertising laws also forbid misrepresenting goods or services.—
Christopher Elliott,
Mercury News,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Hood County Commissioner Nannette Samuelson has accused the Granbury city manager and other city officials of deception and misrepresenting facts concerning power a plant designed for a future data center on over 2,000 acres annexed by the city in January.—
Elizabeth Campbell,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
David Schurman Wallace on misunderstanding Gertrude Stein.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Apr. 2026
-
This could be along the lines of a passive-aggressive email or a coworker misunderstanding your tone.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Normalizing interactions where such limitations do not exist risks distorting the very standard by which human love is measured.—
Oluwaseun Damilola Sanwoolu,
The Conversation,
14 Apr. 2026
-
The front has square glass block masonry on the lower half, which lets light in while reducing what's visible outside by distorting the view.—
Stefan Ionescu
March 30,
New Atlas,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Misinterpreting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misinterpreting. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
