misconduct

mis·con·duct

noun \-ˈkän-(ˌ)dəkt\

Definition of MISCONDUCT

1

: mismanagement especially of governmental or military responsibilities

2

: intentional wrongdoing; specifically : deliberate violation of a law or standard especially by a government official : malfeasance

3

a : improper behavior b : adultery

4

: a penalty (as in ice hockey) for improper behavior or abusive language (as toward an official)

— mis·con·duct \-kən-ˈdəkt\ transitive verb

Examples of MISCONDUCT

1. He was forced to defend himself against charges of sexual misconduct.
2. There have been reports of misconduct by several employees.

First Known Use of MISCONDUCT

1705

Related to MISCONDUCT

Synonyms: malfeasance, misbehavior, misdoing, wrongdoing

Antonyms: faithfulness, fidelity

Related Words: crime, malefaction, misdeed, misdemeanor, sin, transgression, trespass, wrong; malpractice; goings-on, hanky-panky; familiarity, gaffe, impropriety, indiscretion; blunder, error, fault, flub, fumble, goof, lapse, miscue, misstep, mistake, slip, slipup, stumble

Near Antonyms: allegiance, constancy, dedication, devotedness, devotion, fealty, loyalty, steadfastness

see all synonyms and antonyms

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