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

Relevance

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
Verb
  • In October 2025, Beckerink pleaded no contest to domestic violence charges in connection to two incidents at Tracey's home in New Buffalo, Michigan, as well as one count of contempt for violating his bond, and was sentenced to 93 days in jail.
    Todd Feurer, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
  • The lawsuit argues the freeze violated federal law, including the Administrative Procedure Act and constitutional limits on executive power and how Congress appropriates funds.
    Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Some government offices and financial institutions were damaged during the unrest, residents said, while merchants reported being ordered to reopen businesses despite ongoing security operations.
    Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 13 Jan. 2026
  • The gunfire damaged the car’s rear end, trunk, tail light and rear window louver, according to court documents.
    Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 13 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • So long as a person is willing to subject himself to the abuse of the City, the City will find new and worse ways to abuse him.
    Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 12 Jan. 2026
  • Ohio State has previously settled filed by 296 individuals who alleged they were abused by Strauss, who died by suicide in 2005.
    Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 12 Jan. 2026
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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Misgovern.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misgovern. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!