wrongdoing

noun

wrong·​do·​ing ˈrȯŋ-ˌdü-iŋ 

1

: evil or improper behavior or action

cleared of any wrongdoing

2

: an instance of doing wrong

Synonyms

• breach
• crime
• debt
• error
• lawbreaking
• malefaction
• misdeed
• misdoing
• offense
• offence
• sin
• transgression
• trespass
• violation

Examples of wrongdoing in a Sentence

The corporation's wrongdoings must be exposed.

a local newspaper exposed the contractor's elaborate attempts to cover up his wrongdoings

Recent Examples on the Web

The government treated it as more evidence of American animus, and the minister in question denied wrongdoing and shrugged it off. —Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025

Giuffre was not called as a witness during Maxwell's trial, and Maxwell has consistently denied all wrongdoing. —Riley Hoffman, ABC News, 25 Apr. 2025

Only one employee was fired for wrongdoing during this period, according to figures obtained under a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. —Jake Kanter, Deadline, 25 Apr. 2025

Yip has denied wrongdoing and denounced U.S. criminal charges and sanctions. —Sebastian Rotella, ProPublica, 23 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Legal Definition

wrongdoing

noun

wrong·​do·​ing ˈrȯŋ-ˌdü-iŋ 

: injurious, criminal, or improper behavior

denied any wrongdoing