American English

How to pronounce misunderstands

verbB1
mihsndersTAANDZ

/ˌmɪ.sn̩.dɚsˈtʰændz/

4 syllables · Stress the fourth syllable.

Related entry: misunderstand

To understand someone's words, actions, or meaning in the wrong way.

Practice out loud

Meanings & examples

verb

To understand someone's words, actions, or meaning in the wrong way.

I misunderstood your question.

She misunderstood what he meant.

Good to know

Misunderstand can be used without an object: “Sorry, I misunderstood.”

Common phrases & grammar

completely misunderstand · easily misunderstand · misunderstand the situation · misunderstand someone's intentions

misunderstand + someone/something

misunderstand + what/why/how + subject + verb

Related words & forms

Use misunderstood for both the past form and the past participle, not “misunderstooded.”