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misconstrue

verb

/ˌmɪskənˈstruː/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of misconstrue

To interpret or understand something in the wrong way.
"It's easy to misconstrue someone's intentions when you don't know them well."

Detailed meaning of misconstrue

It is often used to describe when someone misunderstands the meaning of a word or phrase, or when they misinterpret an event or situation. For example, if someone says "I'm feeling under the weather," and another person mistakenly believes they are physically ill, they have misconstrued the speaker's meaning. Misconstrue can also be used to describe when someone places a false or incorrect interpretation on someone's actions or words. Misconstrue is different from misunderstand, in that misunderstand means to not understand something and Misconstrue means to understand something in the wrong way. Misconstrue is often used when the wrong understanding is caused by a person's bias or preconceived notions.

Example sentences containing misconstrue

1. They tend to misconstrue my intentions, thinking I have ulterior motives.
2. It is easy to misconstrue his silence as agreement, but he may just be deep in thought.
3. Please don't misconstrue my words; I was merely expressing a different perspective.
4. They often misconstrue her assertiveness as aggression.
5. Let's clarify the situation to ensure there is no room to misconstrue our actions.
6. It is crucial not to misconstrue their enthusiasm as arrogance.

History and etymology of misconstrue

The verb 'misconstrue' has its origins in Middle English and is derived from the combination of two words: 'mis-' meaning 'wrongly' or 'badly,' and 'construe,' which comes from Latin 'construere,' meaning 'to construct' or 'to interpret.' Therefore, 'misconstrue' can be etymologically understood as 'to construct or interpret wrongly.' This aligns with its modern usage, where it means to interpret or understand something in the wrong way, often leading to misinterpretation or misunderstanding. The word's etymology underscores the notion of a flawed or incorrect construction of meaning, highlighting the potential for miscommunication when one misconstrues information.

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Further usage examples of misconstrue

1. They are quick to misconstrue criticism as a personal attack.
2. It's essential to provide context so others don't misconstrue your intentions.
3. We must be careful not to misconstrue coincidence as causation.
4. Their actions were misconstrued as a sign of defiance when it was simply a misunderstanding.
5. Don't let others misconstrue your kindness as a weakness.
6. We need to be precise in our language to avoid being misconstrued.
7. They consistently misconstrue her humor, taking it too seriously.
8. Let's address any potential misunderstandings before they have a chance to misconstrue the situation.
9. They have a tendency to misconstrue silence as agreement, even when it is not.
10. It's unfortunate when people misconstrue our intentions based on their own biases.
11. They mistakenly misconstrue her reserved nature as aloofness.
12. They often misconstrue her confidence as arrogance.
13. Let's strive for clarity in our communication to prevent others from misconstruing our message.
14. It's crucial to double-check your interpretation so you don't misconstrue the facts.