misunderstand

 
Pronunciation: /ˌmɪsʌndəˈstand/

verb (past and past participle misunderstood /-ˈstʊd/)

[with object]
  • fail to interpret or understand (something) correctly: he had misunderstood the police officer’s hand signals [no object]: I must have misunderstood—I thought you were anxious to leave
  • fail to interpret or understand the words or actions of (someone) correctly: don’t misunderstand me—I’m not implying she should be working (as adjective misunderstood) he is one of football’s most misunderstood men