construe

[US]/kənˈstruː/
[UK]/kənˈstruː/
Frequency: Very High

Translation

vt. interpret; analyze; translate

vi. analyze grammatically
Word Forms
Third Person Singularconstrues
Pluralconstrues
Past Participleconstrued
Present Participleconstruing
Past Tenseconstrued

Example Sentences

Our chief representative's withdrawal was construed as a protest.

The nounfish can be construed as singular or plural.

Why do you construe my silence as a sign of disapproval?

his words could hardly be construed as an apology.

both verbs can be construed with either infinitive.

Our larrikin persona can, in the blink of an eye, be construed as obnoxious.

You may construe the statement of the government spokesman in a number of different ways.

construed my smile as assent.See Synonyms at explain

They construed her silence as meaning that she agreed.

The lack of a radio room station is a casualty of an aggressive schedule, and can in no way be construed as a showstopper.

I take the official oath today.with no purpose to construe the Constitution or laws by any hypercritical rules(Abraham Lincoln.

Real-world Examples

Even a simple expression of sympathy could be construed as an admission of guilt.

Source: The Good Wife Season 1

Strictly construed, his car is his property, Mr. Gardner.

Source: The Good Wife Season 2

I know that you didn't mean it the way they construed it.

Source: the chair

Men are asking, Have I ever done-or am I currently doing-anything that could be construed as abusive or inappropriate?

Source: Time

Criticism is easily construed as insult by certain parties.

Source: Complete English Speech Collection

Being fussy about punctuality might be construed as being difficult, off-hand.

Source: World Atlas of Wonders

The question of intelligent life, somewhere there, as we have construed intelligence, so-called.

Source: GQ — Representative Roles of Celebrities

I think something could be construed as wrong.

Source: The Queen's Gambit

" In what way am I to construe your attitude, sir" ? demanded Vandeleur.

Source: New Arabian Nights (Volume 1)

His withdrawal can only be construed as a protest.

Source: High-frequency vocabulary in daily life

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