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.—Publishers Weekly
Publishers 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
Hispanic voters are often misunderstood, with many viewing the bloc as motivated by issues of immigration and agriculture, according to the Los Angeles Times and previous Statesman reporting.
—Idaho Statesman, 16 May 2026
Yet persuasion is often misunderstood.
—David Meade, Forbes.com, 14 May 2026
The condition has long been one of the most misunderstood hormonal conditions, and the confusion wasn’t helped by its name.
—Michelle Seguin, EverydayHealth.com, 13 May 2026
One of the most brilliant and misunderstood artists of all time's artwork is now in Denver.
—Brian Sherrod, CBS News, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for misunderstood
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Idaho Statesman, 16 May 2026
Yet persuasion is often misunderstood.
—David Meade, Forbes.com, 14 May 2026
The condition has long been one of the most misunderstood hormonal conditions, and the confusion wasn’t helped by its name.
—Michelle Seguin, EverydayHealth.com, 13 May 2026
One of the most brilliant and misunderstood artists of all time's artwork is now in Denver.
—Brian Sherrod, CBS News, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for misunderstood
Cite this Entry
“Misunderstood.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/misunderstood. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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