misinterpret
verb
mis·in·ter·pret
ˌmi-sᵊn-ˈtər-prət 
-pət
misinterpreted; misinterpreting; misinterprets
1
: to explain wrongly
His comment on the speech misinterprets the speaker's meaning.
2
: to understand wrongly
Their silence should not be misinterpreted as consent.
Examples of misinterpret in a Sentence
He claims that his statements have been misinterpreted by the media.
Her silence should not be misinterpreted as consent.
Recent Examples on the Web
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
In a different context, some people could misinterpret these gendered hiccups as microaggressions.
—Zachary Bernstein, Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2026
Fall hopes the data will be useful for policymakers but also worries about them being misinterpreted.
—Lori Youmshajekian, Scientific American, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for misinterpret
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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
In a different context, some people could misinterpret these gendered hiccups as microaggressions.
—Zachary Bernstein, Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2026
Fall hopes the data will be useful for policymakers but also worries about them being misinterpreted.
—Lori Youmshajekian, Scientific American, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for misinterpret
Cite this Entry
“Misinterpret.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/misinterpret. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
misinterpret
verb
mis·in·ter·pret
ˌmis-ᵊn-ˈtər-prət
-pət
: to understand or explain wrongly
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