misconduct
8 synonyms for misconduct, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Behaviour that breaks accepted rules of conduct, especially at work or in a profession.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
Behaviour that breaks accepted rules of conduct, especially at work or in a profession.
“The officer was suspended pending an investigation into alleged misconduct.”
How to use misconduct
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
professional misconduct
gross misconduct
sexual misconduct
Mostly used in formal, professional, or legal writing rather than everyday speech.
Etymology
From mis- + conduct.
Full origin of misconduct →Frequently asked questions
What does “misconduct” mean?
The word “misconduct” means behaviour that breaks accepted rules of conduct, especially at work or in a profession. In plain terms, improper behaviour, often used formally in workplace or legal contexts.
How do you pronounce “misconduct”?
“Misconduct” is pronounced mihs-KON-duhkt (/mɪsˈkɑndʌkt/ in IPA).
How do you use “misconduct” in a sentence?
Here is “misconduct” used in a sentence: “The officer was suspended pending an investigation into alleged misconduct.”
What part of speech is “misconduct”?
Depending on how it is used, “misconduct” can be a noun and a verb.
Is “misconduct” a common word?
“Misconduct” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “misconduct” have?
“Misconduct” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: behaviour that breaks accepted rules of conduct, especially at work or in a profession.
What is the difference between misconduct and negligence?
"Misconduct" refers to behaviour that breaks accepted rules of conduct, often implying a deliberate or improper choice, while negligence refers to a failure to take proper care that may be unintentional. Misconduct suggests a violation of standards; negligence suggests carelessness.
What is an example of professional misconduct?
Professional misconduct describes behaviour that breaks the accepted rules of a profession, such as breaching ethical standards or violating a workplace conduct code.
Can "misconduct" be used as a verb?
Yes, "misconduct" can function as a verb meaning to behave improperly or to manage something badly, though the noun form describing rule-breaking behaviour is far more common in everyday use.
