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 closure follows Walliams’ publisher, HarperCollins, dropping the author and halting the publication of his back catalog following misconduct allegations. — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 3 Nov. 2026 One team member was arrested in connection with the alleged misconduct. — Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 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

Noun

GoodRx has not admitted any wrongdoing but agreed to the settlement to resolve the allegations.

— Brian Sloan, CNBC, 2 Nov. 2026
Advertisement Spokespeople for the Interior and Transportation departments have denied wrongdoing on the part of their respective leaders to media outlets.

— Connor Greene, Time, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of wrongdoing

Noun

The idea shows up in mythology—from Zeus transforming into every kind of animal to commit adultery to Psyche being warned that her new husband, Eros, would be grotesque—as well as in folklore and countless retellings of Beauty and the Beast.

— Janelle Okwodu, Vogue, 26 Oct. 2026
Specifically, Pickard said his understanding of the immunity deal is that his testimony about adultery and an inappropriate relationship cannot be used against him as part of the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

— Matt Schooley, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of adultery

Verb

Lawyers are officers of the court, bound by ethical obligations to pursue claims in good faith and not abuse the legal process for improper purposes.

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 6 Nov. 2026
Security experts have long warned that AI voice and face cloning could be easily abused to enhance impersonation scams.

— Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of abuse

Noun

In contrast to the president's rhetoric about election cheating, voting unfolded with relatively few problems.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 4 Nov. 2026
In contrast to the president’s continued rhetoric about election cheating, voting so far has unfolded with relatively few problems.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of cheating

Verb

Rodents are also more likely to damage trees that are heavily mulched right up to their trunks.

— Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 6 Nov. 2026
If El Niño brings storms that damage the road again, history suggests Caltrans will fix it, seemingly stuck in an endless loop of patchwork repairs for one of California’s most challenging mountain highways to maintain.

— Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of damage

Verb

Ossoff said the Israeli military has violated international standards of warfare in Gaza but avoided the question of whether Israel is committing genocide — a charge levied by some on the Democrats’ left flank.

— Bill Barrow, Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2026
In Arizona, voters passed a measure banning the state from installing and using photo enforcement systems (like speed and red-light cameras) to catch people who violate certain traffic ordinances.

— Rachel Treisman, NPR, 4 Nov. 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