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

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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

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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
After Wolfe appealed, a federal judge determined that prosecutors had engaged in misconduct and vacated his death sentence, ordering a new trial. — ABC News, 29 Sep. 2026 The state Supreme Court ordered a new trial last year, citing misconduct by investigators. — CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026
Verb
The Utah Supreme Court ordered a new trial last year, pointing to misconduct by investigators. — Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2026 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
  • The former prince, who had a longtime friendship with Epstein and maintained contact with him after his 2008 conviction of procuring a child for prostitution, has previously apologized and denied any wrongdoing.
    — Ellise Shafer, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Hill was suspended for about two months during the investigation, which found no wrongdoing on her part.
    — Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of wrongdoing
Noun
  • The Royal Family, whose relations with Spencer have long been strained, are said to fear the book could contain numerous bombshells about Charles and Diana’s relationship, which was infamously plagued by adultery and acrimony.
    — K.J. Yossman, Variety, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Its citizens held slaves, some of whom were shackled for committing adultery.
    — Boris Kachka, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of adultery
Verb
  • Berry’s ex-husband Olivier Martinez accused the actor of physically abusing their 12-year-old son last month.
    — Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Blanchard has said her mother abused her for years and forced her to fake serious illnesses.
    — Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of abuse
Noun
  • Manchester City, one of the most successful teams in the world in recent years, has been found guilty of systematically cheating – financially doping its way to dominance for the best part of a decade.
    — Ben Church, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Practically everyone, regardless of political affiliation, must understand by now that there simply is no evidence of widespread — significant, meaningful — voter cheating in California or anywhere else in America.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of cheating
Verb
  • Depending on the system and target, the heat can damage sensors, electronics, structural components or other critical parts.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Sympathize with those who have been harmed, and who were damaged by that harm.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of damage
Verb
  • The government characterized Lemon as part of the demonstration, arguing his actions at a church crossed the line from a reporting to a protesting role, violating the First Amendment right to worship and freedom of religion.
    — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Advisors who do have a fiduciary duty and who violate that responsibility can be subject to fairly serious consequences, including regulatory penalties, civil liabilities and criminal charges.
    — Kate Dore, CFP®, EA,Kelli Grant, CFP®, CNBC, 8 Oct. 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 9 Oct. 2026.

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