misgovern

verb

ˌmis-ˈgə-vərn How to pronounce misgovern (audio)
Definition of misgovernnext
as in to misconduct
to manage badly the ruling party was soundly defeated at the polls for having disastrously misgoverned the country

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 misgovern But a ruling class that systematically blinds itself to the most profound longings of human beings will misunderstand and misgovern those under its sway. — Benjamin and Jenna Storey, WSJ, 12 Oct. 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for misgovern
  1. misconduct
  2. mismanage
  3. violate
  4. damage
  5. abuse
  6. misrule
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
Definition of misconduct
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
Definition of mismanage
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
  • 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
  • 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
Verb
  • The result is a society that feels both rule-bound and misruled, saturated with laws and yet strangely lawless.
    — Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Congo had been brutally misruled by Belgium for over 70 years when the winds of change blew through in the late 1950s.
    — Zachariah Mampilly, Foreign Affairs, 28 Feb. 2023
Definition of misrule

Browse Nearby Words

misgivings
misgovern
misgoverned
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Cite this Entry

“Misgovern.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misgovern. Accessed 12 Nov. 2026.

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