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construe

[kuhn-stroo, kon-stroo] / kənˈstru, ˈkɒn stru /


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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By comparison, it is less clear how to construe Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s express but unexplained wish to grant the same petition.

From Slate Dec. 16, 2024

Circuit Court of Appeals, which he said could construe the law differently, or file a fresh lawsuit in state court.

From Seattle Times May 16, 2024

Prosecutors routinely use it in cases where they can construe harm to the federal government.

From Reuters Aug. 2, 2023

I regret that my attempt to find a way to participate in the course in a manner that would have satisfied these concerns has enabled some to construe a potential conflict of interest.

From BBC May 24, 2023

"He is the King's Justice, after all. Sending other men to do his office . . . some might construe that as a grave insult."

From "A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin

How they decide — their reasoning — might have momentous implications for how the current court construes the Constitution.

From Washington Post Oct. 29, 2021

“What emerges on the other side of the apocalypse as ‘Appleseed’ construes it will barely resemble what went into it.

From New York Times Jul. 22, 2021

As in none of your business, which often construes to “she’s fine” or “doing well” or “good,” depending on who asked.

From The New Yorker Mar. 4, 2019

The two are mirror images of a sort: one construes national identity as changeless, its rediscovery a prelude to renewed greatness; the other sees it as a product to be clarified and marketed.

From The Guardian Nov. 7, 2017

David construes this remark into an indication of a wish that "the gentleman" should have his place, so he blushingly offers to resign it.

From A Week's Tramp in Dickens-Land by William R. (William Richard) Hughes

The bill states that “nothing in this title or the amendments made by this title shall be construed to override, modify, or amend the applicability of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.”

From The Wall Street Journal Aug. 10, 2026

The immunity exists on a single page, signed by a single official, construed to mean whatever the current week requires.

From Slate Aug. 10, 2026

Dabaie was asked by CNN whether the congressman’s comments can be construed as acknowledging that he cheated on his wife, while denying doing anything illegal.

From Los Angeles Times Apr. 11, 2026

"Some may look at this incident as being somewhat playful, but it's hard to dissociate what could very easily be construed as animosity toward the police," he said.

From BBC Feb. 25, 2026

He waits for her to begin, his expression bearing something that could be construed as very mild interest.

From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern

Congress, through explicit statutory text, and the Supreme Court, in construing less explicit language, have turned to the “disparate impact” framework to address that second truth.

From Slate May 4, 2025

In construing the meaning of an extraterrestrial dispatch, those who give it a go often try to anticipate what the message might be trying to say.

From Scientific American Aug. 3, 2023

So in applying this statute, the legal system isn’t just construing ambiguous language.

From Washington Post Apr. 13, 2023

"That is consistent with construing the speech and debate argument as a limited immunity like executive privilege. It also corresponds to the most important evidence from Pence," he tweeted.

From Salon Mar. 28, 2023

He translated fully to each group of creatures the Abbot’s message, in turn construing back to the Father Abbot their grateful thanks with pledges of help and loyalty to Redwall Abbey.

From "Redwall" by Brian Jacques




Vocabulary lists containing construe


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