misgovern

[mis-guhv-ern]

verb (used with object)

1. to govern or manage badly.

misgovern

/ ˌmɪsˈɡʌvən /

verb

1. to govern badly

Other Word Forms

• misgovernment noun
• misgovernor noun
• misgovernance noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of misgovern¹

First recorded in 1375–1425, misgovern is from the late Middle English word misgovernen. See mis- ¹, govern

Example Sentences

But the Russians don’t have an authoritarian model for export, and other autocratic-minded governments don’t need inspiration from Moscow to run kleptocratic, corrupt, repressive and misgoverned regimes.

Read more on Washington Post

Trump’s approach to governing — or misgoverning, as it might be described — has been on open display since his inauguration.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

I have argued that a better life for people in a misgoverned country is an essential part of that effort.

Read more on Washington Post

More important in Ukraine is that Russia will probably use the scandal to portray Zelensky as a minor leaguer and Ukraine as an incorrigibly misgoverned country.

Read more on Washington Post

“Say more, every day, without fail, so it becomes common knowledge, lest we forget for a single day, the autocratic, despicable, heartless, obtuse being who misgoverns this country.”

Read more on The Guardian

Related Words

• botch 
• bungle 
• err 
• flub 
• fumble 
• misdirect 
• mistreat 
• misuse 
• muff