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
One of the most important, and most misunderstood elements of this plan is the conversion of a select few one-way streets back to two-way traffic.
—Tim Giuliani, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Feb. 2026
What is often misunderstood, however, is how dietary collagen is processed in the body.
—Leeann Weintraub, Daily News, 5 Feb. 2026
The design is meant to reorient us, to take us on a trail walked not by humans but traversed and carved by elephants, a creature still misunderstood, vilified and hunted for its cataclysmic-like ability to reshape land, and sometimes communities.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
As one of the most peculiar sports played at the Winter Olympics, curling is both instantly recognizable and often misunderstood.
—Garrett Chorpenning, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for misunderstood
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Tim Giuliani, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Feb. 2026
What is often misunderstood, however, is how dietary collagen is processed in the body.
—Leeann Weintraub, Daily News, 5 Feb. 2026
The design is meant to reorient us, to take us on a trail walked not by humans but traversed and carved by elephants, a creature still misunderstood, vilified and hunted for its cataclysmic-like ability to reshape land, and sometimes communities.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
As one of the most peculiar sports played at the Winter Olympics, curling is both instantly recognizable and often misunderstood.
—Garrett Chorpenning, New York Times, 4 Feb. 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 14 Feb. 2026.
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