adj
Uncommon
misunderstood
mihs-uhn-duh-STUUD
Misunderstood (adj) means not correctly understood. Example: “His comment was widely misunderstood.”
adj
1
Not correctly understood.
"His comment was widely misunderstood."
"The instructions were so misunderstood that half the class built the model wrongly."
"Her silence was misunderstood as anger, though she was simply tired."
2
Not appreciated or sympathized with despite deserving it.
"She always felt like a misunderstood teenager."
"The quiet boy at the back of the class felt lonely and misunderstood."
"Many artists describe themselves as misunderstood geniuses, ignored until long after their work is finished."
How to use misunderstood
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishWrongly interpreted, or not given the sympathy or recognition someone deserves.
Common pairings
misunderstood genius
feel misunderstood
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more misunderstood
- Superlative
- most misunderstood
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His comment was widely _____.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for misunderstood
See all rhymes for misunderstood →Frequently asked questions
What does “misunderstood” mean?
The word “misunderstood” means not correctly understood. In plain terms, wrongly interpreted, or not given the sympathy or recognition someone deserves.
How do you pronounce “misunderstood”?
“Misunderstood” is pronounced mihs-uhn-duh-STUUD (/ˌmɪs.ʌn.dɚˈstʊd/ in IPA).
How do you use “misunderstood” in a sentence?
Here is “misunderstood” used in a sentence: “His comment was widely misunderstood.”
What part of speech is “misunderstood”?
“Misunderstood” is an adjective.
Is “misunderstood” a common word?
“Misunderstood” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “misunderstood” have?
“Misunderstood” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: not correctly understood.
What is the difference between misunderstood and misinterpreted?
Misunderstood usually describes a failure to grasp someone's meaning, feelings, or character correctly, while misinterpreted more often applies to specific data, texts, or actions being read the wrong way. A misunderstood person feels their true self or intentions were missed, whereas a misinterpreted statement or law simply has an incorrect reading applied to it.
Can misunderstood describe a person as well as a statement?
Yes, misunderstood works both ways: a comment can be misunderstood if its meaning was taken incorrectly, and a person can be described as misunderstood if others fail to appreciate or sympathize with them despite them deserving it. The second sense carries an emotional weight the first does not.
Why do people describe misunderstood as a sympathetic or defensive word?
Because calling someone misunderstood implies they deserve recognition or sympathy they are not getting, it is often used defensively, such as in 'a misunderstood genius' or 'a misunderstood teenager.' This framing suggests the fault lies with others' perception rather than with the person themselves.
