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
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
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
-
Knicks fans have been leaning into the joke, posting TikTok edits foreshadowing Gotham-like anarchy.—
Rebecca Schneid,
Time,
27 May 2026
-
What does anarchy mean to you now?—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
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
Verb
-
Crooks have learned how to abuse them, steal them and trick people into handing them over.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
1 June 2026
-
What is perhaps most troubling is the actions of some to abuse their access to privileged and confidential information to mispresent facts, manipulate situations and selectively use and leak that information to promote personal agendas.—
Michael T. Nietzel,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
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
Verb
-
Firefighters had to cut open the metal drop box to extinguish the fire, and numerous ballots inside were damaged, some charred beyond recognition.—
Jasmine Mendez
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
-
Scientists theorize that exposing flowering tomato plants to temperatures below 50°F damages the flowers.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
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
-
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
-
The complaint alleges the defendants failed to manufacture, supply and serve food safe for human consumption and violated federal food safety laws and USDA performance standards governing ground beef.—
Andrea Flores,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2026
-
Several speakers challenged Polis' argument that the bill could violate free speech protections.—
Jamie Leary,
CBS News,
31 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Misrule.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misrule. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
