Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

misconduct

American  
[mis-kon-duhkt, mis-kuhn-duhkt] / mɪsˈkɒn dʌkt, ˌmɪs kənˈdʌkt /

noun

  1. 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    Her license was revoked for professional misconduct and poor professional performance.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

  2. 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)

  1. to mismanage.

  2. to misbehave (oneself ).

misconduct British  

noun

  1. behaviour, such as adultery or professional negligence, that is regarded as immoral or unethical

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. to conduct (oneself) in such a way

  2. to manage (something) badly

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of misconduct

First recorded in 1700–10; mis- 1 + conduct

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.

Cooke was informed on 30 March he was being investigated for gross misconduct following complaints made by members of the public.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

He also invoked Evans’ history, including prior Mississippi capital reversals finding serious prosecutorial misconduct.

From Slate • Apr. 10, 2026

Barrett added that allegations of misconduct were confined to "a very small section of our trusted and respected ADF".

From BBC • Apr. 6, 2026

At the same time, Lively has framed the dispute as a test case for California’s relatively new law protecting people who speak publicly about sexual misconduct.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 2026

He had recently asked me to help him with an Alabama civil rights case involving law enforcement misconduct.

From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson

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.