MISCONDUCT Synonyms: 99 Similar and Opposite Words

misconduct 1 of 2

noun

ˌmis-ˈkän-(ˌ)dəkt

Definition of misconduct

as in wrongdoing

improper or illegal behavior some rough play got the hockey player fined for misconduct on the ice

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

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

Noun

The case is being investigated by ICE’s Office of Professional Responsibility, the branch that investigates misconduct involving ICE employees as well as people suspected of falsely representing themselves as agency personnel. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 22 Sep. 2026 Former Stockbridge, Georgia Mayor Jayden Williams did not expect to be ousted from office earlier this month amid scrutiny over alleged misconduct. — Alex Nitzberg, FOXNews.com, 22 Sep. 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

Noun

In mid-September, a grand jury met over five days to decide whether there was probable cause of criminal wrongdoing in connection with Wells’s death.

— Cristian Farias, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2026
The Democrats are also reaching beyond the administration into various corporate and business entities for potential wrongdoing.

— Lisa Mascaro, Fortune, 26 Sep. 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

Meanwhile, local Church leaders hope the pope's visit will repair the Church's standing after a crushing 2021 report found that some 330,000 French children had been abused by Catholic clergy and lay leaders over seven decades.

— Joshua McElwee, Arkansas Online, 26 Sep. 2026
An example of warrantless seizure could be a case in which an officer sees a dog being abused and takes the animal.

— Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of abuse

Verb

The attack on Kyiv damaged more than 50 civilian sites, including apartment blocks, post offices, a maternity hospital and a textile plant, Vyhivskyi, the interior minister, said.

— HANNA ARHIROVA, Arkansas Online, 25 Sep. 2026
Tests also found that the electrical pulses used for communication did not damage tissue samples.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of damage

Verb

In a filing late Tuesday, administration lawyers argued that the ban does not violate the First Amendment, which guarantees the right to a free press.

— JOCELYN NOVECK, Arkansas Online, 24 Sep. 2026
The Southern Environmental Law Center, a large environment watchdog, just filed a lawsuit alleging the OpenAI deal violated Georgia sunshine laws that guarantee public access to government meetings and records.

— AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of violate

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