“misunderstands” is a form of
misunderstand
/mɪs.ʌn.də(ɹ)ˈstænd/ verb
Forms misunderstands misunderstanding misunderstood
- verb (transitive) To understand incorrectly, while believing one has understood correctly.
Synonyms
take the wrong way misconstrue misinterpret misconceive misapprehend be amiss
Etymology
From Middle English mys-understanden, equivalent to mis- + understand.
Webster’s 1913
- verb To misconceive; to mistake; to miscomprehend; to take in a wrong sense.
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “misunderstand”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details