misconduct
Americannoun
-
improper or wrong behavior.
Numerous accusations of sexual misconduct have blighted his campaign.
Her license was revoked for professional misconduct and poor professional performance.
- Synonyms:
- misstep, misdeed, misbehavior, wrongdoing
-
unlawful behavior by an official in regard to their office, or by a person in the administration of justice, such as a lawyer, witness, or juror; malfeasance.
A complaint was filed against the prosecutor, alleging misconduct in the case.
verb (used with object)
-
to mismanage.
-
to misbehave (oneself ).
noun
verb
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to conduct (oneself) in such a way
-
to manage (something) badly
Other Word Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
have misconductedperfect
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has misconductedperfect 3rd person singular
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have been misconductingperfect progressive
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am misconductingprogressive 1st person singular
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is misconductingprogressive 3rd person singular
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has been misconductingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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misconductssingular 3rd person
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misconductingparticiple
-
are misconductingprogressive
Past
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had misconductedperfect
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was misconductingprogressive singular
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were misconductingprogressive plural
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had been misconductingperfect progressive
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misconductedparticiple
-
misconductedsimple
Future
Etymology
Origin of misconduct
Explanation
Misconduct is any kind of bad, unethical, or illegal activity. When there's misconduct, someone is doing something wrong. Since conduct is behavior, misconduct is behavior that's not quite right: some kind of shady or criminal conduct. If an accountant cooked the books — lied about finances — that's misconduct. A police officer taking a bribe is guilty of misconduct. Often, misconduct specifically refers to someone who does improper things on behalf of someone else, like the misconduct of a dishonest lawyer.
Vocabulary lists containing misconduct
mis-
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Simply Scandalous!
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mis-
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases said it will decide whether to hear the case by March 24, according to Wayo.
From Barron's • Feb. 26, 2026
Misconduct in public office is defined by the British Crown Prosecution Service as the “serious wilful abuse or neglect of the power or responsibilities of the public office” and can result in life imprisonment.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 23, 2026
Police Sergeant Clayton Robinson, based at Charing Cross police station in central London, was dismissed with immediate effect following an Accelerated Misconduct Hearing on Tuesday.
From BBC • Oct. 28, 2025
This “new evidence,” they contend, “is material to the Judicial Misconduct claim, alleging a serious violation of Mr. Roberson’s fundamental right to a trial before an impartial tribunal—and before a tribunal that appears impartial.”
From Slate • Oct. 8, 2025
Misconduct on the part of the man must be flagrant before it constitutes a sufficient ground for his divorce by his wife.
From The Pagan Tribes of Borneo by Haddon, Alfred C. (Alfred Cort)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
