misinterpretation
noun
mis·in·ter·pre·ta·tion
ˌmi-sᵊn-ˌtər-prə-ˈtā-shən 
-pə-
plural misinterpretations
: failure to understand or interpret something correctly
an error caused by misinterpretation of the rules
: a mistaken interpretation
… it soon becomes obvious to workers in the field that misunderstandings and misinterpretations of conventional terms seriously interfere with scholarly communication.—
Juergan Eichhoff
Juergan EichhoffExamples of misinterpretation in a Sentence
his misinterpretation of the ambiguously worded instructions was hardly his fault
Recent Examples on the Web
In reality, this is just a misinterpretation of a database in which the government does not have a date of death associated with certain Social Security numbers.
—The Editors, National Review, 5 Mar. 2025
Far less open to misinterpretation is Plante’s painterly images, hauntingly using the water’s reflections, infinity horizon and the enormous scumbled grey sky as a physical manifestation of Munir’s turmoil.
—Jay D. Weissberg, Deadline, 19 Feb. 2025
Clean data is well-organized, complete and properly categorized, ensuring that the systems can process it without encountering misinterpretations or gaps in understanding.
—John Case, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
This can help minimize confusion and misinterpretations of policies, leading to better collaboration and productivity.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for misinterpretation
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The Editors, National Review, 5 Mar. 2025
Far less open to misinterpretation is Plante’s painterly images, hauntingly using the water’s reflections, infinity horizon and the enormous scumbled grey sky as a physical manifestation of Munir’s turmoil.
—Jay D. Weissberg, Deadline, 19 Feb. 2025
Clean data is well-organized, complete and properly categorized, ensuring that the systems can process it without encountering misinterpretations or gaps in understanding.
—John Case, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
This can help minimize confusion and misinterpretations of policies, leading to better collaboration and productivity.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for misinterpretation
Cite this Entry
“Misinterpretation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/misinterpretation. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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