as in anarchy
a state in which there is widespread wrongdoing and disregard for rules and authority
the country's long period of misrule left it in economic turmoil for over a decade
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to misconduct
to manage badly
accused of misruling his island nation to the point of economic collapse
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of misrule
Ilan Berman, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
His regime’s misrule, combined with its alliance with transnational criminal organizations, has destabilized the entire region.
—Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 10 Oct. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for misrule
Noun
But, after decades of misrule, the PA is wildly unpopular among Palestinians themselves.
—Ilan Berman, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
His regime’s misrule, combined with its alliance with transnational criminal organizations, has destabilized the entire region.
—Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 10 Oct. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for misrule
Recent Examples of Synonyms for misrule
Noun
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What does anarchy mean to you now?—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
14 May 2026
-
In his first Inaugural Address, on March 4, 1861, with seven states having already seceded from the Union, Lincoln proclaimed the essence of secession to be anarchy.—
Jill Lepore,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
Verb
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Similarly, modifying diet or exercise to lose fat or gain muscle can be quite healthy, but abusing amphetamines to suppress appetite – a widespread practice in looksmaxxing – is dangerous and points to a mental health issue.—
Jordyn Tovey,
The Conversation,
22 May 2026
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Organizers are now working with local police and monitoring cameras to make sure the system is not being abused.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
22 May 2026
Verb
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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
Verb
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If a boat comes loose and damages other property, uninsured owners may be liable.—
Orlando Sentinel Staff,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 May 2026
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Driving through deep water can also damage a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
24 May 2026
Verb
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But given the agency’s track record of withholding information, mismanaging funds and failing to comply with audit recommendations, assurances alone are not enough.—
J.B. Jennings,
Baltimore Sun,
22 Feb. 2026
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Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr sent Gov. Gavin Newsom a letter last week demanding information about the project and accusing the state of mismanaging federal funds.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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OpenAI filed its first formal legal response to the Raine lawsuit in November 2025, denying responsibility and arguing the teen had violated the terms of service.—
Jason Snyder,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2026
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Both the actions violated Zaczkowski's constitutional rights to free speech, argued Zaczkowski's attorney, Andy McNulty, in the complaint.—
Logan Smith,
CBS News,
24 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Misrule.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misrule. Accessed 26 May. 2026.
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