1
as in crime
a breaking of a moral or legal code
the sordid misdoings of the city councilman were exposed as a result of an intense investigation by the local newspaper
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in wrongdoing
improper or illegal behavior
kept a watchful eye for any misdoing by the members of the clergy
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of misdoing
When Whitney accuses her of lying to cover up her misdoings, everything explodes.
—
Tom Smyth, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2025
Certainly in the reign of J. Edgar Hoover, the role of the bureaucracy, and Hoover’s role actually, was more often to aid Presidents in their misdoings, amid some of his own.
—Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 25 Sep. 2019
An American journalist seeking to write about the rich celebrities instead learns about financial, political and treasonous misdoings – even murder.
—Carole Goldberg, courant.com, 3 July 2019
Yet, the very reality of 2018 is that Brett Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court Justice nomination pushed the seemingly consequence-free misdoings of those attending the country’s elite prep schools into the news cycle.
—Veronica Walsingham, Teen Vogue, 5 Oct. 2018
This is not the first time Facebook has had to publicly increase previous estimates of misdoings on its platform.
—Issie Lapowsky, WIRED, 4 Apr. 2018
South Korean politicians accused of misdoing often apologize for causing trouble while still denying wrongdoing.
—Washington Post, 13 Mar. 2018
All of the angst could have been avoided if not for some political misdoings.
—Joe Haakenson, Daily Pilot, 21 Dec. 2017
Reports about financial misdoings, the possible collapse of venerable institutions, rising unemployment caused by advanced technology — all of these affected the psychology of spending.
—Robert J. Shiller, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2016
Tom Smyth, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2025
Certainly in the reign of J. Edgar Hoover, the role of the bureaucracy, and Hoover’s role actually, was more often to aid Presidents in their misdoings, amid some of his own.
—Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 25 Sep. 2019
An American journalist seeking to write about the rich celebrities instead learns about financial, political and treasonous misdoings – even murder.
—Carole Goldberg, courant.com, 3 July 2019
Yet, the very reality of 2018 is that Brett Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court Justice nomination pushed the seemingly consequence-free misdoings of those attending the country’s elite prep schools into the news cycle.
—Veronica Walsingham, Teen Vogue, 5 Oct. 2018
This is not the first time Facebook has had to publicly increase previous estimates of misdoings on its platform.
—Issie Lapowsky, WIRED, 4 Apr. 2018
South Korean politicians accused of misdoing often apologize for causing trouble while still denying wrongdoing.
—Washington Post, 13 Mar. 2018
All of the angst could have been avoided if not for some political misdoings.
—Joe Haakenson, Daily Pilot, 21 Dec. 2017
Reports about financial misdoings, the possible collapse of venerable institutions, rising unemployment caused by advanced technology — all of these affected the psychology of spending.
—Robert J. Shiller, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2016
Recent Examples of Synonyms for misdoing
Noun
-
The evidence relating to these crimes was of special interest, given that Kirwan’s murder and Gately’s surveillance are also part of the charge against Kinahan.—
Ed Caesar,
New Yorker,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Butts is charged with one count of false pretenses ($100,000 or more), three counts of false pretenses ($50,000 or more but less than $100,000), two counts of false pretenses ($20,000 or more but less than $50,000), 12 counts of identity theft, and two counts of using a computer to commit a crime.—
Joseph Buczek,
CBS News,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Higgs has continued to deny any wrongdoing, and the case against him (in which Gradel was to have been a witness) is ongoing.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Cook denied any wrongdoing, and the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the case in January but has yet to issue a ruling.—
Rachel Barber,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Felicia Anderson, 39, is wanted on a half-dozen criminal counts, including first-degree assault, second-degree assault and weapons violations.—
Alexa Ashwell,
Baltimore Sun,
1 May 2026
-
This is a brazen violation of international law.—
Lincoln Anderson,
New York Daily News,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
Public plans often have more restrictions based on misconduct, but the standard for forfeiture typically relies on a criminal conviction, according to experts.—
Anna Liss-Roy The Washington Post,
Arkansas Online,
27 Apr. 2026
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That swing drew a 10-minute misconduct penalty and an Avs power play to end the stanza.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The galley starts directly next to the lounge with an available 90-L Isotherm door fridge/freezer and extends down the passenger sidewall with a countertop with inbuilt sin and available portable induction cooktop.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
21 Apr. 2026
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For Nikolas Indigo, the road to freedom was lined with warnings against a life of sin.—
Theresa Gaffney,
STAT,
20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Misdoing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misdoing. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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