To misconstrue something means to misunderstand or misinterpret it, getting the wrong idea about what someone meant or what something means. When you misconstrue a friend's joke as an insult, you've taken their words the wrong way. When a teacher misconstrues your excuse for being late as a lie, they've misunderstood your honest explanation.

The word suggests more than a simple mix-up. When you misconstrue someone's intentions, you build an incorrect understanding that feels real to you but doesn't match what actually happened. If your sister says “nice haircut” with a smile and you misconstrue it as sarcasm, you might get upset over kindness that was genuine.

Sometimes people deliberately misconstrue others' words to make them look bad, twisting “I don't like that movie” into “she hates all movies.” But more often, misconstruing happens accidentally when we're tired, distracted, or already feeling sensitive about something. Clear communication helps prevent misconstruing. When you explain yourself carefully and ask questions when confused, you reduce the chances that anyone will misconstrue what you mean.