misconstrue
Translation
to misconstrue, to misinterpret, to misunderstand
Examples
She felt he had misconstrued her intentions.
She felt he had misconstrued her intentions.
My comments were deliberately misconstrued by the press.
My comments were deliberately misconstrued by the press.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) to interpret (sth.) wrongly Don't misconstrue my silence.
((sth.)) as ((sth.)) to interpret (sth.) wrongly as (sth. else) He misconstrued her friendliness as a romantic interest.
Similar Words
Synonyms: misinterpret, misunderstand; Antonyms: understand, interpret correctly
Etymology
From the prefix 'mis-' (wrongly) and 'construe' (to interpret). Literally 'to interpret wrongly'.
Memory Tips
Think of 'wrongly constructing' the meaning of something. You 'mis-construe' it.