misconstrue
Take it wrong
To misconstrue is to misunderstand or misinterpret something, especially someone's words or intentions: She misconstrued his silence as disapproval.
The word implies getting the meaning wrong, often by putting an unintended spin on what was said or done: Don't misconstrue my hesitation—I'm interested, just cautious.
Grasp incorrectly
- misreadInterpret text incorrectly
- misjudgeEvaluate incorrectly
- misapprehendGrasp incorrectly
- misconceiveUnderstand something incorrectly
misperceive · misinterpretation · misreading · misapprehension · get wrong · misreckon · miss the point · miscomprehend
Rotating motion or surprise
- warpBend from true form
- skewTwist from straight
- garbleDistort into confusion
- misrepresentDepict inaccurately or falsely
distort · slant · pervert · mangle · bend · falsify · stretch · color
Wrong action or decision
- blunderFoolish, costly mistake
- errorFault in communication
- misjudgmentFaulty evaluation of something
- misunderstandingFailure to grasp meaning
miscalculation · oversight · inaccuracy · fallacy · misassumption · wrong impression · false impression · crossed wires
misunderstand
Grasp incorrectly
- misreadInterpret text incorrectly
- misjudgeEvaluate incorrectly
- misapprehendGrasp incorrectly
misconceive · misperceive · misinterpretation · misreading · misapprehension · get wrong · misreckon · miss the point · miscomprehend · confuse
twist
Rotating motion or surprise
misrepresent · distort · slant · pervert · mangle · bend · falsify · stretch · color · spin
mistake
Wrong action or decision
- blunderFoolish, costly mistake
- errorFault in communication
- misjudgmentFaulty evaluation of something
misunderstanding · miscalculation · oversight · inaccuracy · fallacy · misassumption · wrong impression · false impression · crossed wires · mix-up
motive
Reason for action
- meaningWhat something signifies
- intentPlanned purpose
- implicationIndirect suggestion or consequence
subtext · nuance · connotation · tone · context · sentiment · signal · message · purpose · significance
- misunderstandingmisunderstand, misinterpret, miscommunication, misconception, misread
- Misrepresentationmisrepresent, distort, falsify, misquote, misstate
misconstrueunderstand
Grasp the meaning
comprehend · grasp · get · apprehend · perceive
misconstrued, misconstruction, misconstrues, misconstructed, misconstruing, misconstrual