1
as in misinterpretations
a failure to understand correctly
people once thought that there were canals on Mars because of a common misunderstanding of a report by an Italian astronomer
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in disagreements
an often noisy or angry expression of differing opinions
tried to resolve their misunderstandings peacefully
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of misunderstandings
Reading the room, sensing discontent, having an antenna for misunderstandings among followers is not only key to garnering support but also to preventing resistance that can endanger your success.
—
Paul Vanderbroeck, Big Think, 9 Feb. 2026
Across North America and parts of Europe, budgeting and planning tools are increasingly used to support transparency and reduce misunderstandings around costs, helping couples manage expenses more confidently.
—Craig Lebrau, USA Today, 8 Feb. 2026
There’s something comforting about returning to the films that made the genre so beloved in the first place, where misunderstandings feel harmless and happy endings are practically guaranteed.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2026
Legal experts also note that following instructions promptly, keeping hands visible, and avoiding sudden movements can help prevent misunderstandings during a tense situation.
—Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Jan. 2026
With Mercury going retrograde in this part of the sky on February 26, just don’t sign anything too rashly or hastily, because the potential for errors and misunderstandings is high right now.
—Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Jan. 2026
Old partners may reappear, while current relationships may require renegotiation after misunderstandings surface.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 28 Jan. 2026
The weather — moods, misunderstandings, frustrations, disappointments — is variable.
—Glenn Kurlander, Fortune, 28 Jan. 2026
Observe where recurring misunderstandings or bottlenecks happen in your team’s work.
—Sho Dewan, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Paul Vanderbroeck, Big Think, 9 Feb. 2026
Across North America and parts of Europe, budgeting and planning tools are increasingly used to support transparency and reduce misunderstandings around costs, helping couples manage expenses more confidently.
—Craig Lebrau, USA Today, 8 Feb. 2026
There’s something comforting about returning to the films that made the genre so beloved in the first place, where misunderstandings feel harmless and happy endings are practically guaranteed.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2026
Legal experts also note that following instructions promptly, keeping hands visible, and avoiding sudden movements can help prevent misunderstandings during a tense situation.
—Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Jan. 2026
With Mercury going retrograde in this part of the sky on February 26, just don’t sign anything too rashly or hastily, because the potential for errors and misunderstandings is high right now.
—Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Jan. 2026
Old partners may reappear, while current relationships may require renegotiation after misunderstandings surface.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 28 Jan. 2026
The weather — moods, misunderstandings, frustrations, disappointments — is variable.
—Glenn Kurlander, Fortune, 28 Jan. 2026
Observe where recurring misunderstandings or bottlenecks happen in your team’s work.
—Sho Dewan, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for misunderstandings
Noun
-
Beatty said those early misinterpretations frequently determine what evidence exists later.—
Stephen Martin,
Oklahoma Watch,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Doubts have been cast on jobs data due to misinterpretations of the labor bureau’s routine reviews of its statistics and its admissions about the difficulty of getting answers to its employment surveys.—
Jonathan Lansner,
Oc Register,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Before our daughter was born, my husband and I argued, but always resolved our disagreements.—
Yael Schonbrun,
Washington Post,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Debates and disagreements have gotten personal.—
Sarah Cutler,
Idaho Statesman,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Gulutzan is just hopeful that his team can learn from its mistakes.—
Lia Assimakopoulos,
Dallas Morning News,
5 Feb. 2026
-
In environments where young people have few chances to recover from mistakes, those mistakes can be much more damaging, and the temptations can feel more overwhelming.—
Mark Mitchell,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
At least five competing proposals have emerged from major coalitions, several of which have fractured in recent days as internal disputes deepened.—
JACQUELINE CHARLES MIAMI HERALD,
Arkansas Online,
6 Feb. 2026
-
At least five competing proposals have emerged from major coalitions, several of which have fractured in recent days as internal disputes deepened.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Avoid money quarrels with everyone.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
8 Feb. 2026
-
His quarrels with Massie and interest in relitigating the 2020 election seem to animate him more, too.—
W. James Antle III,
The Washington Examiner,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The lawsuit claims that Metcalf had a history of being involved in altercations and alleges that Ford Field should have known about Metcalf's history and failed to protect Kennedy.—
DeJanay Booth-Singleton,
CBS News,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Clark warned him against becoming involved in any physical altercations.—
Sally Krutzig,
Idaho Statesman,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
More recently, controversies like a Pokemon card game event that was originally planned to be held at a shrine to honor Japan’s war dead still triggered angry comments on Chinese social media, but no obvious broader repercussions.—
Chan Ho-Him,
Fortune,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Years of high-profile controversies — plea deals, pardons and investigations that feel politicized depending on who is involved — have left Americans skeptical that justice is blind.—
Kaitlyn Buss,
Boston Herald,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Ronald Reagan did not suffer from such misapprehensions.—
Gordon G. Chang,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Misunderstandings.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misunderstandings. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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