C1verblanguagework
US/ˌmɪs.kəˈmjuː.nə.keɪt/
UK/ˌmɪs.kəˈmjuː.nɪ.keɪt/
to fail to share information or ideas clearly, so that other people misunderstand
In context
The two teams miscommunicated about the deadline, so the report was submitted late.
Managers often miscommunicate with staff when they rely only on short emails.
We must have miscommunicated somewhere, because the client expected a different design.
Words that go with miscommunicate
verb + preposition
- miscommunicate with colleaguesIt is easy to miscommunicate with colleagues in another time zone.
- miscommunicate aboutThey miscommunicated about who would book the room.
- miscommunicate over emailColleagues often miscommunicate over email because tone is easily lost.
- miscommunicate across culturesSpeakers can miscommunicate across cultures even when their English is good.
verb + noun
- miscommunicate the detailsThe assistant miscommunicated the details of the meeting.
adverb + verb
- easily miscommunicatePeople easily miscommunicate when they only use text messages.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
miscommunicate the managerCorrect: miscommunicate with the manager