misrule 1 of 2

noun

Definition of misrulenext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

misrule

2 of 2

verb

ˌmis-ˈrül How to pronounce misrule (audio)
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

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 misrule
Noun
Soon, the story became buried in the avalanche of corruption and misrule that followed. — Terence McNamee, Christian Science Monitor, 7 Nov. 2025 But, after decades of misrule, the PA is wildly unpopular among Palestinians themselves. — Ilan Berman, MSNBC Newsweek, 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
  1. anarchy
  2. misconduct
  3. abuse
  4. misgovern
  5. damage
  6. mismanage
  7. violate
Noun
  • The mostly peaceful protests supporting recent student concerns, as well as working and middle-class economic worries, hijacked by those bent on anarchy.
    — Greg Palkot, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026
  • After that, Afghanistan descended into anarchy, with bands of warlords grabbing turf, loot, women, and boys.
    — Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of anarchy
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
  • 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
  • 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
Definition of misgovern
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
  • 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
  • Daniel Ojukwu, with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism, or FIJ, a local investigative media house, was jailed on a 12-count charge accusing him of violating the country's cybercrime act, pending a bail hearing.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Nov. 2026
  • Rodriguez’s lawyers argued that Garcia’s participation in the recount process violated the due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 12 Nov. 2026
Definition of violate

Browse Nearby Words

misrepresents
misrule
misruled
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Cite this Entry

“Misrule.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misrule. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026.

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