misunderstate

present singular third person misunderstates · participle present misunderstating · participle past misunderstated · past misunderstated

1. To understate by mistake.

   For foreign journalists, sociologists, and historians, the likelihood of misunderstating real limitations to democracy are even greater.

   1996, John Markoff, Waves of Democracy: Social Movements and Political Change, page 106

   2 more examples

   Just as the bathymetrical limit of marine life, which was laid down at 300 fathoms by Professor Edward Forbes, is now no longer accepted, so the distance to which light can penetrate may prove to have been misunderstated hitherto, and should, in the interest of truth, be re-examined by physicists.

   1886, Report on the Scientific Results of the Voyage of H.M.S. Challenger During the Years 1873-76, page 13

   Well, I would grossly misunderstate the thing if I didn't tell you this was the subject that was being thoroughly discussed at all times at the present time, and we intend, and Mr. Cresap has made it plain, I can assure you we all intend to make it a living policy, as has been stated today.

   1961, United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on the Judiciary. Subcommittee on Antitrust and Monopoly, Administered Prices, page 17457