1
as in crime
a breaking of a moral or legal code
the sordid misdoings of the city councilman were exposed as a result of an intense investigation by the local newspaper
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in wrongdoing
improper or illegal behavior
kept a watchful eye for any misdoing by the members of the clergy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of misdoing
When Whitney accuses her of lying to cover up her misdoings, everything explodes.
—
Tom Smyth, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2025
Certainly in the reign of J. Edgar Hoover, the role of the bureaucracy, and Hoover’s role actually, was more often to aid Presidents in their misdoings, amid some of his own.
—Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 25 Sep. 2019
An American journalist seeking to write about the rich celebrities instead learns about financial, political and treasonous misdoings – even murder.
—Carole Goldberg, courant.com, 3 July 2019
Yet, the very reality of 2018 is that Brett Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court Justice nomination pushed the seemingly consequence-free misdoings of those attending the country’s elite prep schools into the news cycle.
—Veronica Walsingham, Teen Vogue, 5 Oct. 2018
This is not the first time Facebook has had to publicly increase previous estimates of misdoings on its platform.
—Issie Lapowsky, WIRED, 4 Apr. 2018
South Korean politicians accused of misdoing often apologize for causing trouble while still denying wrongdoing.
—Washington Post, 13 Mar. 2018
All of the angst could have been avoided if not for some political misdoings.
—Joe Haakenson, Daily Pilot, 21 Dec. 2017
Reports about financial misdoings, the possible collapse of venerable institutions, rising unemployment caused by advanced technology — all of these affected the psychology of spending.
—Robert J. Shiller, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2016
Tom Smyth, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2025
Certainly in the reign of J. Edgar Hoover, the role of the bureaucracy, and Hoover’s role actually, was more often to aid Presidents in their misdoings, amid some of his own.
—Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 25 Sep. 2019
An American journalist seeking to write about the rich celebrities instead learns about financial, political and treasonous misdoings – even murder.
—Carole Goldberg, courant.com, 3 July 2019
Yet, the very reality of 2018 is that Brett Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court Justice nomination pushed the seemingly consequence-free misdoings of those attending the country’s elite prep schools into the news cycle.
—Veronica Walsingham, Teen Vogue, 5 Oct. 2018
This is not the first time Facebook has had to publicly increase previous estimates of misdoings on its platform.
—Issie Lapowsky, WIRED, 4 Apr. 2018
South Korean politicians accused of misdoing often apologize for causing trouble while still denying wrongdoing.
—Washington Post, 13 Mar. 2018
All of the angst could have been avoided if not for some political misdoings.
—Joe Haakenson, Daily Pilot, 21 Dec. 2017
Reports about financial misdoings, the possible collapse of venerable institutions, rising unemployment caused by advanced technology — all of these affected the psychology of spending.
—Robert J. Shiller, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2016
Recent Examples of Synonyms for misdoing
Noun
-
Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage?—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
16 Jan. 2026
-
Stepheny Price covers crime, including missing persons, homicides and migrant crime.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
16 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The Washington Post reported that its journalist was not accused of wrongdoing and that the outlet received a subpoena related to the investigation into Perez-Lugones.—
BrieAnna J. Frank,
USA Today,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Hayes was not charged with any wrongdoing.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
15 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The bill specifically targeted local jails holding people accused of civil violations.—
Jennifer Mayerle,
CBS News,
15 Jan. 2026
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If the sale does go through, the administration can still use its enforcement powers to make sure any new owner corrects open violations and adheres to rent-stabilization laws.—
Clio Chang,
Curbed,
15 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Its investigative arm reviews officer misconduct complaints, and is expected to one day replace the police department’s internal affairs division.—
Shomik Mukherjee,
Mercury News,
9 Jan. 2026
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The panel assessed the LAPD’s handling of discipline, misconduct complaints, excessive force by officers and other issues.—
David Zahniser,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
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These are the words of someone determined not to repeat their father’s sins, someone who wants to be a little different than what a lot of the world might expect of a player with his unique brand of raw power and athleticism.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
13 Jan. 2026
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Except, apparently, among the Hoosiers who play football as if not playing football hard would be an unforgivable sin.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
10 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Misdoing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misdoing. Accessed 18 Jan. 2026.
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