misconduct 1 of 2

noun

ˌmis-ˈkän-(ˌ)dəkt How to pronounce misconduct (audio)
Definition of misconductnext
1
as in wrongdoing
improper or illegal behavior some rough play got the hockey player fined for misconduct on the ice

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in adultery
a sexual encounter or relationship between a married person and someone other than their spouse both parties cited misconduct as the reason for the divorce

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

misconduct

2 of 2

verb

as in to abuse
to manage badly misconducted the polar expedition and paid for his mistakes with his life

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of misconduct
Noun
Miller is hardly the only member of Congress to attract attention for allegations of misconduct towards women this year alone. — Diana Paulsen, ABC News, 31 July 2026 Federal investigators found the city has had to pay more than $7 million to settle officer misconduct complaints. — Brandon Goldner, CBS News, 30 July 2026
Verb
In addition, referees were instructed to apply the rules regarding fouls and misconducts more strictly – a move meant to protect players and their inventiveness. — Cesar R. Torres, The Conversation, 26 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for misconduct
Recent Examples of Synonyms for misconduct
  1. wrongdoing
  2. adultery
  3. abuse
  4. cheating
  5. damage
  6. violate
  7. misgovern
  8. mismanage
Noun
  • So far, there has been no indication that any wrongdoing occurred in Marsico’s case.
    — Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026
  • JPMorgan has denied wrongdoing and called the lawsuit meritless.
    — Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of wrongdoing
Noun
  • Her adultery story initially evokes the imprisoned girl’s compensatory reveries, but over time its focus shifts.
    — Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026
  • The name has Biblical undertones and refers to a theory that Adam (of Adam and Eve) had a first wife named Lilith, who committed adultery with Satan and transformed into an evil being who kidnaps children.
    — Katie Mather, PEOPLE, 23 July 2026
Definition of adultery
Verb
  • The woman Morris was convicted of abusing, Cindy Clemishire, has filed a $1 million defamation suit against Morris, the church, former and current elders, and a former church employee in Dallas County.
    — Giles Hudson, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026
  • One of them, a shorter, bearded man with a nose reddened and swollen from years of abusing liquor, gave a low whistle.
    — Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026
Definition of abuse
Noun
  • One particular moment that stood out to me had nothing to do with cheating.
    — Brittney Melton, NPR, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Many schools are focused on establishing clear guidelines for AI use while also limiting cellphone use during class to reduce distractions and cheating.
    — Ruyuan Li, Sacbee.com, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of cheating
Verb
  • Little Joe's was boarded up after an antique door was heavily damaged as the burglary crew got in and out in about a minute.
    — Charlie De Mar, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026
  • More than 3,200 children have been killed or injured since February 24, 2022, and more than 1,700 schools and education facilities have been damaged or destroyed, leaving one in three children without full-time in-person education.
    — Emile Nuh, CNN Money, 31 July 2026
Definition of damage
Verb
  • State and local prosecutors would be able to sue chatbot operators for violating the measures, as well as parents or guardians of children who are harmed by companies that don’t follow them.
    — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • The department said the detectives who reported the affair violated three policies for conducting an unauthorized investigation and their use of Flock.
    — Kelsy Mittauer, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of violate
Verb
  • But a ruling class that systematically blinds itself to the most profound longings of human beings will misunderstand and misgovern those under its sway.
    — Benjamin and Jenna Storey, WSJ, 12 Oct. 2021
Definition of misgovern
Verb
  • Founders often mismanage their crucial first sales hire, mistakenly seeking candidates suited for large corporations.
    — Kate Morgan, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
  • Target has been criticized for mismanaging inventory, under-investing in stores and falling behind on the trendy, eye-catching merchandise the retailer built its name on.
    — Gabrielle Fonrouge, CNBC, 22 June 2026
Definition of mismanage

Browse Nearby Words

misconceptions
misconduct
misconducted
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Cite this Entry

“Misconduct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misconduct. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on misconduct

Nglish: Translation of misconduct for Spanish Speakers

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