misrule

[mis-rool]

noun

1. bad or unwise rule; misgovernment.

2. disorder or lawlessness.

verb (used with object)

misruled, misruling 

1. to misgovern.

misrule

/ ˌmɪsˈruːl /

verb

1. (tr) to govern inefficiently or without humanity or justice

noun

1. inefficient or inhumane government

2. disorder

Other Word Forms

• misruler noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of misrule¹

1300–50; Middle English misreulen (v.), misreule (noun). See mis- ¹, rule

Example Sentences

In April 1930, Gandhi concluded his pivotal salt march, breaking the British monopoly on salt production - a charged symbol of colonial misrule.

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His party's years in power, however, became associated with misrule and corruption.

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If you’re fed up barely four months into the regime’s misrule, how will you feel 44 months from now?

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As a new year starts, he and his supporters want this to be a turning point for the country, which is trying to recover from devastating economic crisis and years of misrule.

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He later resigned over accusations of corruption and misrule.

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Related Words

• anarchy 
• lawlessness