miscomprehends

Fails to grasp

Miscomprehends means fails to understand correctly, grasps something wrongly.

The word implies not a total lack of understanding but a flawed or distorted one: He miscomprehends my intentions—I'm trying to help, not criticize.

Less common than misunderstands, it carries a slightly more formal tone.

cognition

misunderstands

Incorrectly interprets meaning

misinterpretsUnderstands something incorrectly
misreadsInterprets text incorrectly
misconstruesUnderstands incorrectly

misjudges · misapprehends · misconceives · misperceives · confuses · mistakes · misgrasps · gets wrong · misses the point · jumps to conclusions

communication

mishears

Perceives sounds inaccurately

misreadsInterprets text incorrectly
garblesDistorts or confuses
miscommunicatesExpresses meaning incorrectly

misquotes · mistranslates · talks past · cross-purposes · mixed signals · misregisters

consequences

confusion

Mental disorientation or bewilderment

bewildermentState of being baffled
perplexityMental state of confusion
mix-upConfusion from error

error · mistake · blunder · misstep · crossed wires · awkwardness · embarrassment · clarification · correction · miscommunication

Opposites

accuracy of understanding

miscomprehendscomprehends

Mentally takes in

understands · grasps · apprehends · gets · follows

Family

miscomprehended, miscomprehending, miscomprehend, miscomprehension

Familiarity: Top 500,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Everyday, not technical · Rated G