1
as in wrongdoing
improper or illegal behavior
some rough play got the hockey player fined for misconduct on the ice
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
as in to abuse
to manage badly
misconducted the polar expedition and paid for his mistakes with his life
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Michael Walker, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
In November 2023, she was suspended without pay by the Pennsylvania Judicial Conduct Board over multiple misconduct allegations — including tampering with evidence and obstructing the administration of law, Fox 43 reported.
—Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 10 Apr. 2025
Weeks after hearing allegations of bullying, conflict of interest and other misconduct against La Jolla Village Merchants Association Executive Director Jodi Rudick, the board gave her a sparkling annual performance review and a pay raise at its meeting April 9.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Apr. 2025
My goal is to protect survivors of abuse, not suppress lawful expression or shield misconduct from public accountability.
—ArsTechnica, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for misconduct
Noun
Rangers had been demoted to the third tier in 2012 for financial misconduct, then risen again.
—Michael Walker, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
In November 2023, she was suspended without pay by the Pennsylvania Judicial Conduct Board over multiple misconduct allegations — including tampering with evidence and obstructing the administration of law, Fox 43 reported.
—Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 10 Apr. 2025
Weeks after hearing allegations of bullying, conflict of interest and other misconduct against La Jolla Village Merchants Association Executive Director Jodi Rudick, the board gave her a sparkling annual performance review and a pay raise at its meeting April 9.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Apr. 2025
My goal is to protect survivors of abuse, not suppress lawful expression or shield misconduct from public accountability.
—ArsTechnica, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for misconduct
Recent Examples of Synonyms for misconduct
Noun
-
Burke became the 38th alderman since 1971 to be convicted of wrongdoing in December 2023.—
Jake Sheridan,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Apr. 2025
-
The insurance company denied wrongdoing and has appealed.—
T. Christian Miller,
ProPublica,
12 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Within the White Lotus, adultery abounds, couples engage in power plays, and flirtatious encounters occur among old friends and strangers alike.—
Sophie Gilbert,
The Atlantic,
8 Apr. 2025
-
In his 1991 book The Third Chimpanzee: The Evolution and Future of the Human Animal, biologist Jared Diamond claimed the adultery rate among humans was between 5% and 30%.—
ByAndrew Curry,
science.org,
6 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The ways in which these attackers have abused Google’s email system clearly needs to be patched.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
20 Apr. 2025
-
Donald Trump is abusing the levers of government to launch an attack against New York Attorney General Tish James on what seem to be pretty flimsy claims of fraud.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
20 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Arson – To unlawfully and intentionally damage or attempt to damage any real or personal property of another person or entity by fire or incendiary device.—
Baltimore Sun staff,
Baltimore Sun,
22 Apr. 2025
-
Mineral extraction has damaging social consequences in developing countries, where the impoverished are often compelled to work in unsafe and unhygienic conditions.—
Foreign Affairs,
Foreign Affairs,
22 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
In a series of lawsuits following the order, plaintiffs, including 22 Democratic state attorneys general and immigrant rights advocates, argued that Trump's order violates a right protected by the U.S. Constitution's 14th Amendment: anyone born in the United States is a citizen.—
Terry Moseley,
USA Today,
18 Apr. 2025
-
In legal terms, the lawsuits are saying oil and gas companies violated consumer-protection laws and committed common-law civil violations such as negligence.—
Hannah Wiseman,
The Conversation,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Trump has previously accused the organization of mismanaging the pandemic and announced a halt in funding to the WHO on April 14, 2020, during his first term in office.—
Gordon G. Chang,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Apr. 2025
-
Financing Risk Leverage fuels acquisitions, but mismanaging debt can be costly. Reduce risk by: • Investing in cash-flowing businesses to ensure debt obligations are covered.—
Joseph Drups,
Forbes.com,
7 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Misconduct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misconduct. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share