wrongdoing

noun

ˈrȯŋ-ˌdü-iŋ How to pronounce wrongdoing (audio)
Definition of wrongdoingnext
1
as in crime
a breaking of a moral or legal code a local newspaper exposed the contractor's elaborate attempts to cover up his wrongdoings

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in misconduct
improper or illegal behavior the police officer was found to be completely innocent of any wrongdoing

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 wrongdoing Carvalho has not been charged with any crime and denies any wrongdoing. — Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2026 But by Sunday evening, at a press conference, Phillips said an investigation had been launched into wrongdoing involving members of the police force, defense force and maritime administration department. — Reuters, CNN Money, 20 July 2026 The former congresswoman has consistently denied any wrongdoing and has entered a not guilty plea. — Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 17 July 2026 As with many large national companies, litigation does not necessarily establish liability or wrongdoing. — Adam Palasciano, USA Today, 17 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for wrongdoing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wrongdoing
  1. crime
  2. misconduct
  3. violation
  4. sin
Noun
  • In the neo-noir crime thriller, Cole (Dane DeHaan) is a thief who makes a living hacking people's bank accounts from his car.
    — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 17 July 2026
  • But what does that do to the right of anyone else to say he indeed was arrested and convicted of a crime?
    — Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 17 July 2026
Definition of crime
Noun
  • And when misconduct does happen — rarely — security protocols frequently catch it.
    — Ali Swenson, Chicago Tribune, 18 July 2026
  • Hanaway’s office filed a petition to remove Johnston from office, alleging misconduct, according to a news release from the attorney general’s office.
    — Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 17 July 2026
Definition of misconduct
Noun
  • The state ethics commission accused the Georgia Republican Assembly and its political action committee of failing to disclose more than $180,000 of contributions and other violations.
    — David Wickert, AJC.com, 22 July 2026
  • The citations were issued for violations that included speeding, not adhering to traffic signs and signals, unsafe turning movements, use of cellphones and driving without a license.
    — Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 July 2026
Definition of violation
Noun
  • The big mic drop at the conclusion of the finale turns out that Paula is a stone-cold (if possibly accidental) killer after all, and that the shadowy Souter Group is going to make her pay for her sins.
    — Erin Qualey, Vulture, 15 July 2026
  • Mary’s valley of sin was exalted and Simon’s mountain of pride was made low through the love of God.
    — Eric Bashor, Christian Science Monitor, 13 July 2026
Definition of sin

Browse Nearby Words

wrongdoers
wrongdoing
wrongdoings
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Wrongdoing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wrongdoing. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on wrongdoing

Nglish: Translation of wrongdoing for Spanish Speakers

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!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of maverick

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 24

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?
See More

Popular

See More

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
thumbnail graphic with text word of the day quiz
Weekly "Word of the Day" Quiz See how well you know each Word of the Day for Ju...
See All