1 incomprehension | Definition of incomprehension

incomprehension

noun
in·​com·​pre·​hen·​sion | \ (ˌ)in-ˌkäm-pri-ˈhen(t)-shən How to pronounce incomprehension (audio) \

Definition of incomprehension

: lack of comprehension or understanding

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Examples of incomprehension in a Sentence

She gave me a look of complete incomprehension. He viewed the situation with incomprehension.

Recent Examples on the Web

This pratfall exposed Pei’s incomprehension of popular culture and his inability to express rebellious music architecturally and instead invested the design with the gravitas of a national memorial. Martin Filler, The New York Review of Books, "I.M. Pei: Establishment Modernism Lite," 24 May 2019 No, the real problems arise when Ozark stages so many of its scenes in ways that downplay visual contrast, leaving almost everything shrouded in shadow, to the point of genuine incomprehension. Todd Vanderwerff, Vox, "Ozark’s muddy season 2, explained in 11 incomprehensible screenshots," 1 Sep. 2018 The comradeship of men at arms becomes a refuge from the incomprehension of family. The Economist, "An American marine’s eloquent memoir," 1 Mar. 2018 Some of us were unimpressed, while others snarled at the unimpressed’s incomprehension of Roupenian’s achievement. Josephine Livingstone, New Republic, "“Cat Person” and the New Universe of Literary Criticism," 12 Dec. 2017 And so Mexico entered World War II on the side of the Allies, despite popular misgivings, even incomprehension. Andrew Paxman, Slate Magazine, "There’s a long tradition of anti-Americanism in Mexican politics. It’s making a comeback in the era of Trump.," 29 May 2017 Both places saw Spanish incursions from the south, mutual incomprehension in the meeting of Europeans and aboriginals, waves of disease that devastated the natives and a relentless quest by the newcomers for the raw materials of empire. Philip Connors, New York Times, "The Gulf of Mexico in the Age of Petrochemicals," 26 May 2017 Viewers unfamiliar with the source material are required to suspend not just their disbelief but also their incomprehension. Tim Dowling, Newsweek, "Review: 'American Gods' Demands Full Attention and Not a Little Faith," 27 Apr. 2017 Occasionally, her fascination with technological processes, combined with an incomprehension of them, can have productive results. Rebecca Mead, The New Yorker, "Margaret Atwood, the Prophet of Dystopia," 7 Apr. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'incomprehension.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of incomprehension

1605, in the meaning defined above

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More Definitions for incomprehension

incomprehension

noun

English Language Learners Definition of incomprehension

: lack of understanding

More from Merriam-Webster on incomprehension

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for incomprehension

Spanish Central: Translation of incomprehension