misunderstood
Intermediate (B1)
IPA: /ˌmɪsʌndəˈstʊd/
KK: /ˌmɪsʌndərˈstʊd/
adjective
Definition
Not correctly understood or interpreted; often refers to someone or something that is not appreciated or recognized properly.
Example
She felt misunderstood by her friends when they didn't support her decision.
Conversation
I think he feels really misunderstood by everyone.
Yeah, it's tough when people don't see the real you.
I just wish he knew that he isn't alone in feeling misunderstood.
Totally! Sometimes we all need a little more empathy.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
misread
misjudged
overlooked
Antonyms
understood
appreciated
recognized
verb
Definition
To fail to understand something correctly or to interpret it wrongly.
Example
She felt misunderstood by her friends when they didn't support her decision.
Tense Forms
Past: misunderstood
Past Participle: misunderstood
Conversation
I think she really misunderstood what I meant yesterday.
Yeah, it sounded like she took it the wrong way.
I should probably clarify things with her soon.
Root Explanation
Misunderstood → It is formed from "mis-" (meaning wrongly) and "understand" (from Old English "understandan", meaning to stand in the midst of or comprehend). The word "misunderstood" means to comprehend something wrongly or to interpret incorrectly.
Memory Tip
Think of 'mis-' meaning wrongly and 'understand' meaning to comprehend — so when something is misunderstood, it means it is comprehended wrongly.
Visually Confused Words
unmisunderstood
understood
ununderstood
saunderswood