What does "misconduct" mean?

1. (professional wrongdoing) bad or illegal behavior by a person in a position of power or a professional job. 2. (bad behavior) behavior that is wrong or breaks the rules, often in a school or workplace. 3. (to manage badly) to manage a business, project, or situation very poorly. 4. (to behave badly) to behave in a way that is not acceptable or polite.

How do you use "misconduct"?

Often appears in the phrase 'professional misconduct' or 'gross misconduct'. Frequently used with a reflexive pronoun like 'himself' or 'themselves'.

misconduct

n. · v.

US //mɪˈskɑndəkt// mis·con·duct

1 professional wrongdoing (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Formal Law

bad or illegal behavior by a person in a position of power or a professional job.

improper, illegal, or unethical conduct by a professional or official person. Often uncountable in this sense.

Example

The lawyer was fired after the committee found evidence of professional misconduct.

Example

The investigation into judicial misconduct revealed that the judge had a significant financial interest in the outcome of the trial.

Usage

Often appears in the phrase 'professional misconduct' or 'gross misconduct'.
- wrongdoing
- malpractice
- unprofessionalism
- probity
- rectitude
2 bad behavior (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Formal

behavior that is wrong or breaks the rules, often in a school or workplace.

behavior that violates established rules or social norms, typically within an institutional framework.

Example

The student was suspended for serious misconduct during the school trip.

Example

The company handbook clearly outlines the disciplinary procedures for employees accused of sexual misconduct in the workplace.
- misbehavior
- naughtiness
- compliance
- obedience

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3 to manage badly (v.)
C1 Advanced Formal

to manage a business, project, or situation very poorly.

to manage or conduct something in an incompetent or dishonest manner. Transitive, requiring a direct object.

Example

The director was accused of having misconducted the company's financial affairs.

Example

The opposition party argued that the prime minister had misconducted the negotiations, leading to a diplomatic crisis.
- mismanage
- botch
- supervise
- oversee
4 to behave badly (v.)
C1 Advanced Formal Archaic

to behave in a way that is not acceptable or polite.

to behave improperly or inappropriately. Often used reflexively (to misconduct oneself).

Example

He was warned that if he misconducted himself again, he would be asked to leave.

Example

The diplomat was recalled to his home country after reports surfaced that he had misconducted himself at the gala.

Usage

Frequently used with a reflexive pronoun like 'himself' or 'themselves'.
- misbehave
- behave

Etymology 1

From mis- + conduct (noun sense).

Etymology 2

From mis- + conduct (verb sense).