Misconstrue: meaning, example and synonyms
Misconstruev. To interpret words or actions wrongly; to misunderstand.
Example
Because the memo omitted any context, several employees misconstrued a routine audit as a sign that layoffs were imminent.
- Part of speech
- verb
- Synonyms
- misinterpret, misread, misunderstand, distort
- Antonyms
- understand, comprehend, grasp
- Memory tip
- mis (wrongly) + construe (interpret): reading in the wrong meaning.
Misconstrue is in batch 8. Study it with the rest of the batch, then pass the batch quiz to learn it. No account needed; progress is saved on this device.
Check yourself: Misconstrue in context
Because the scientist's cautious phrasing was stripped of its qualifiers in news reports, readers were quick to ______ her tentative hypothesis as a proven fact.
Answer: misconstrue. Taking a tentative idea as proven fact is to misconstrue it. Amass (gather), intercede (plead for another) and muzzle (silence) don't fit this context.
Diplomats choose their words carefully, knowing that foreign governments may ______ even a casual remark as a signal of hostile intent.
Answer: misconstrue. Reading a casual remark as hostile is to misconstrue it. Concur (agree), amass (gather) and nullify (cancel) don't fit this context.