misinterpretation

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "misinterpretation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an incorrect or mistaken interpretation of something, such as a conversation, text or piece of artwork. For example: "I believe there has been a misinterpretation of our conversation; I did not agree to the terms of the contract."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But in his article, which was given to the Guardian via the Freedom of the Press Foundation, on whose board Snowden sits, Snowden says such criticism was a simple misinterpretation of what he had been trying to do.

The Guardian

They may arise as the result of honest misinterpretation of naturally occurring phenomena (for example, seeing faces and figures in the shadows or hearing noises made by animals in the night), or common but frightening anomalous experiences.

The Guardian - Opinion

Which Kevin has done: he's had two phone conversations with the incoming chairman, so it wasn't a misinterpretation just from that Gary Richardson [BBC Radio] Sunday morning sports show, and Kevin has done that, he's just got 355 not out, and he wants to play for England.

The Guardian - Sport

On a day when extremist groups of varying persuasions were descending on Luton, his words were open to misinterpretation at best, and at worst were potentially inflammatory.

The Guardian

In one breath they denounce the courts' activist misinterpretation of the constitution's plain meaning, and then, in the next, lament that henceforth judges will be forever and inescapably bound by the plain implications of the precedent they have just created.

The Economist

A sin he shared with his post-war disciples, however, was an excessive confidence in his own knowledge and judgment.That led to one big misinterpretation of his views, which perhaps only experience could have shown to be a mistake.

The Economist

In public, they now regret the West's wilful "misinterpretation" of their president's comments; in private, they rue the new man's habit of saying what he thinks.Iran's opposition to Israel and support for the Palestinians, while enshrined in the constitution, has always been less straightforward than the rhetoric suggests.

The Economist

This is more often seen in distressed markets where investors are pricing in an imminent default than with otherwise healthy borrowers with long-term problems.The illiquidity of the CDS market means it can be prone to misinterpretation.

The Economist

This despite a clarification, in bold print, "warning" against any misinterpretation of that term: "You are not the actual buyer if you are acquiring the firearm(s) on behalf of another person".

The Economist

Gulliver, who has long worried about irking his seatmates as he digs around at calf height trying to ascertain if his seat has a power outlet or not, looks forward to the end of all such scope for misinterpretation.

The Economist

Too much potential for misinterpretation in one cover.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "misinterpretation", clearly specify what is being misinterpreted to avoid ambiguity. For instance, instead of saying "there was a misinterpretation", specify "there was a misinterpretation of the data".

Common error

Avoid attributing malicious intent without sufficient evidence. A "misinterpretation" might stem from a genuine misunderstanding rather than a deliberate attempt to distort information.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "misinterpretation" is that of a noun. It refers to an instance or act of interpreting incorrectly. As Ludwig AI indicates, it denotes an incorrect or mistaken understanding. Examples include "a simple misinterpretation of what he had been trying to do".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Encyclopedias

22%

Science

37%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "misinterpretation" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed noun used to denote an instance of incorrect understanding. As Ludwig AI states, it's fitting for use when referring to an incorrect or mistaken interpretation. Its usage is prevalent in neutral to formal settings such as news, encyclopedias, and scientific publications. To enhance clarity, specifying the subject of the "misinterpretation" is advised, and attributing malicious intent without proper evidence should be avoided. Related terms include "misunderstanding", "misreading" and "misapprehension". Based on the analysis, "misinterpretation" serves to precisely identify and address errors in comprehension across a variety of contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

misunderstanding

Focuses on a failure to comprehend correctly, often implying a less severe error than "misinterpretation".

misreading

Specifically refers to an incorrect interpretation of written material or signals.

misapprehension

Implies a faulty understanding or judgment about a situation or concept.

incorrect understanding

A more descriptive phrase highlighting the flawed nature of the comprehension.

erroneous interpretation

Emphasizes the error in the interpretative process.

flawed comprehension

Highlights that the comprehension is wrong.

incomprehension

Indicates a complete lack of understanding.

faulty perception

Focuses on the flawed perception leading to the misinterpretation.

distortion of meaning

Highlights how the original meaning has been altered or skewed.

twisted interpretation

Suggests a deliberate or biased misrepresentation.

FAQs

How can I use "misinterpretation" in a sentence?

You can use "misinterpretation" to describe an instance where something has been understood incorrectly. For example, "The argument arose from a misinterpretation of the contract's terms."

What is another word for "misinterpretation"?

Alternatives to "misinterpretation" include "misunderstanding", "misreading", or "misapprehension", depending on the context.

What's the difference between "misinterpretation" and "misunderstanding"?

"Misinterpretation" often implies a more active or reasoned, though incorrect, assigning of meaning, while "misunderstanding" can be a more passive failure to grasp the correct meaning.

Is "misinterpretation" a formal word?

Yes, "misinterpretation" is suitable for formal writing and speech. It is commonly used in academic, professional, and journalistic contexts.