misunderstood
adjective
mis·un·der·stood
(ˌ)mi-ˌsən-dər-ˈstu̇d 
1
: wrongly or imperfectly understood
a misunderstood question
Mondegreens are misunderstood lyrics, and when we asked our readers for their favorites, not surprisingly the most familiar ones got multiple votes.—
Dave Tianen
Dave Tianen2
: not sympathetically appreciated
[Shorty] Rossi has become a name in the animal rescue community for his fierce advocacy for the interests of the pit bull, which he sees as a misunderstood breed.—Publisher's Weekly
Publisher's WeeklyHe speaks proudly and protectively of his two directing efforts as if they were beloved but misunderstood children, and he's touchingly eager to explain their unappreciated virtues.—Ron Rosenbaum
Ron RosenbaumExamples of misunderstood in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Like Valley Girls, the Mitford sisters — well, except for Unity and Diana — were misunderstood and were the victims of misogyny.
—Mimi Pond, People.com, 14 Sep. 2025
These talented and misunderstood artists should consider Duff's impending comeback a welcome invitation to do the same.
—Michael Nied, PEOPLE, 13 Sep. 2025
WhatsApp was ranked the most confusing, with 46 percent of workers saying emojis are often misunderstood there.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
When those two go rogue, Ulysses enlists Gunderson’s misunderstood adult child, Alex (Jess McLeod), who’s like the wide-eyed kid to Odenkirk’s Shane, in this movie’s twisted-Western logic.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for misunderstood
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Mimi Pond, People.com, 14 Sep. 2025
These talented and misunderstood artists should consider Duff's impending comeback a welcome invitation to do the same.
—Michael Nied, PEOPLE, 13 Sep. 2025
WhatsApp was ranked the most confusing, with 46 percent of workers saying emojis are often misunderstood there.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
When those two go rogue, Ulysses enlists Gunderson’s misunderstood adult child, Alex (Jess McLeod), who’s like the wide-eyed kid to Odenkirk’s Shane, in this movie’s twisted-Western logic.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for misunderstood
Cite this Entry
“Misunderstood.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/misunderstood. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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