misdeed

American  

[mis-deed] / mɪsˈdid /

noun

1. an immoral or wicked deed.

   Synonyms:

   fault, transgression, offense

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misdeed British  

/ ˌmɪsˈdiːd /

noun

1. an evil or illegal action

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Etymology

Origin of misdeed

before 900; Middle English misdede, Old English misdǣd. See mis- ¹, deed

Example Sentences

And though she feared retaliation from the Sacklers — who have all the money in the world to not only pursue retribution but bury their misdeeds — the cause was too important, and too infuriating.

From Salon

The historian who writes about decline and fall will dwell on the misdeeds of statesmen; the novelist focuses on family.

From The Wall Street Journal

“Of course I have — Gene Griffin especially,” he says of the former manager whom he accuses in the book of a variety of financial misdeeds.

From Los Angeles Times

Here, a slumber party of the rich and powerful wants to zap their misdeeds from memory so they can get a good night’s sleep.

From Los Angeles Times

Carl’s duplicitous behavior, meanwhile, leads Roy to think his brother is planning to make him the fall guy for their mutual misdeeds.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• infringement
• misbehavior
• misconduct
• offense
• peccadillo
• sin
• transgression
• violation