misunderstood

UK: /ˌmɪsʌndə^rˈstʊd/ US: (mis′un dər stŏŏd′)

From the verb misunderstand: (⇒ conjugate)

misunderstood is: ⓘ

v past

v past p

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

mis•un•der•stood  (mis′un dər stŏŏd′), adj. 

1. improperly understood or interpreted.
2. unappreciated.

• mis-¹ + understood 1585–95

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

misunderstood / ˌmɪsʌndəˈstʊd/ adjective

1. not properly or sympathetically understood: a misunderstood work of art, a misunderstood adolescent

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

mis•un•der•stand /ˌmɪsʌndɚˈstænd/   v. [not: be + ~-ing] , -stood, -stand•ing. 

1. to interpret incorrectly;
   attach a wrong meaning to: [~ + object]
   The radar operators misunderstood his orders.
   [no object]
   I think you misunderstood; repeat the instructions.
2. to fail to understand the character, nature, etc., of (someone):
   [~ + object] He continually misunderstands his children.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

mis•un•der•stand  (mis′un dər stand′), v.t., -stood, -stand•ing. 

1. to take (words, statements, etc.) in a wrong sense;
   understand wrongly.
2. to fail to understand or interpret rightly the words or behavior of.

• Middle English misunderstanden. See mis-¹, understand 1150–1200

mis′un•der•stand′er, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. misconstrue, misapprehend, misinterpret.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

misunderstand / ˌmɪsʌndəˈstænd/ verb ( -stands, -standing, -stood)

1. to fail to understand properly