# misconduct

/mɪˈskɑndəkt/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/misconduct
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. professional wrongdoing

noun · CEFR B2 · Formal

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

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

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

### 2. bad behavior

noun · CEFR B2 · Formal

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

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

- The student was suspended for serious misconduct during the school trip.
- The company handbook clearly outlines the disciplinary procedures for employees accused of sexual misconduct in the workplace.

### 3. to manage badly

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

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

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

- The director was accused of having misconducted the company's financial affairs.
- The opposition party argued that the prime minister had misconducted the negotiations, leading to a diplomatic crisis.

### 4. to behave badly

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal · Archaic

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

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

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

## Examples

- The lawyer was fired for professional misconduct.
- The committee launched an investigation into allegations of financial misconduct by the former director.
- While the error was significant, the board determined it was a result of negligence rather than willful misconduct, allowing the researcher to keep their credentials.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.