1
as in wrongdoing
improper or illegal behavior
some rough play got the hockey player fined for misconduct on the ice
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in adultery
a sexual encounter or relationship between a married person and someone other than their spouse
both parties cited misconduct as the reason for the divorce
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to abuse
to manage badly
misconducted the polar expedition and paid for his mistakes with his life
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 misconduct
Chris Branch, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025
What is particularly disturbing is that while the NFL has crafted appropriate and severe penalties in its effort to direct proper player conduct, the problem of player misconduct is still far too prevalent.
—Ron Mix, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Sep. 2025
Humberto Basilio is a Mexican science journalist covering policy, health, misconduct, archaeology and the environment.
—Humberto Basilio, Scientific American, 9 Sep. 2025
Research highlights the stakes, as one study found that when CEOs were implicated in misconduct, shareholder losses averaged $226 million.
—Julian Hayes Ii, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for misconduct
Noun
Pulse Picks Fresh off the presses this morning is a troubling story from The Athletic’s investigative team on the Detroit Tigers and their turbulent run of alleged misconduct toward women.
—Chris Branch, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025
What is particularly disturbing is that while the NFL has crafted appropriate and severe penalties in its effort to direct proper player conduct, the problem of player misconduct is still far too prevalent.
—Ron Mix, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Sep. 2025
Humberto Basilio is a Mexican science journalist covering policy, health, misconduct, archaeology and the environment.
—Humberto Basilio, Scientific American, 9 Sep. 2025
Research highlights the stakes, as one study found that when CEOs were implicated in misconduct, shareholder losses averaged $226 million.
—Julian Hayes Ii, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for misconduct
Recent Examples of Synonyms for misconduct
Noun
-
Flock denied wrongdoing, insisting the search was about a missing person.—
Jennifer Jolly,
USA Today,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Meta did not admit wrongdoing as part of the settlement.—
Auzinea Bacon,
CNN Money,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
In addition, Swazi law has a different definition of adultery for men and for women.—
The Editors,
JSTOR Daily,
15 Aug. 2025
-
Certain artistic genres were employed to publicize and critique changes to laws regarding adultery and divorce.—
Smithsonian Magazine,
Smithsonian Magazine,
29 July 2025
Verb
-
More importantly, Penske also describes this dynamic as antitrust behavior from a company abusing what the federal government has already described as Google’s monopoly status in the realm of Internet search.—
Andy Meek,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
The biggest Flock controversy centers on allegations that law enforcement has abused the company’s surveillance network to target women, immigrants, and people engaging in legal activity outside their home states.—
Jennifer Jolly,
USA Today,
14 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
When yet another affair is discovered (Kate Upton), all three women team up to plot mutual revenge on their cheating, lying, three-timing SOB.—
Caitlin White,
Variety,
2 Sep. 2025
-
Byron had his arms wrapped around the company's HR chief, Kristin Cabot, and subsequently faced cheating allegations after they were spotted on the jumbotron.—
Megan Cartwright,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Using abrasive cleaner or products with harsh chemicals can damage the beautiful material and lead to a less-than-pretty tub.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
14 Sep. 2025
-
But posting on social media leaves a record, and in times of escalating political polarization, those declarations can be seen as damaging to the reputation of an individual or their employer.—
Nino Paoli,
Fortune,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Polish airspace was violated by at least 19 Russian drones overnight, the country's prime minister said, in a torrent of activity that triggered a response from the NATO country's air force, which scrambled and downed several of the drones.—
Will Gretsky,
ABC News,
10 Sep. 2025
-
In a 21-page ruling, Talwani found that ICE holding an 18-year-old migrant arrested on charges of shoplifting without a bond hearing violated his due process rights.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
10 Sep. 2025
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
Cite this Entry
“Misconduct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misconduct. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share