1. to interpret or understand the meaning of something in a particular way
Usage: third person singular present tense of ‘construe’
2. to analyze the grammatical structure of a sentence, especially by translating word by word
Usage: formal; academic

Examples

• She construes his silence as agreement.
• The judge construes the law strictly in this case.
• He construes her comment as criticism.
• The teacher construes Latin sentences with her students.
• The lawyer construes the contract terms favorably for his client.
• She construes his behavior as rude and inconsiderate.