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Definition of misadministration
misadministration
/ˌmɪsədˌmɪnɪˈstreɪʃən/
mis · ad · min · is · tra · tion
Plural:misadministrations
misadministration Lexical Profile
CEFR
C1
Grade
12
Tier
2
Usage
Rare
Syllables
6
• noun
1
The act or process of administering or managing something poorly, improperly, or dishonestly, especially in public office, business, or legal affairs.
Example
"The audit revealed years of financial misadministration within the municipal department."
2
The incorrect or improper dispensing or application of something, such as a medication, vaccine, or standardized test.
Example
"Clearer labeling on the vials helped prevent the accidental misadministration of the vaccine."
Word Nuance & Usage
'Maladministration' is much more common in modern legal and bureaucratic contexts, though 'misadministration' is a valid synonym.
• Rhymes for misadministration
• Nearby Words
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Misadministration. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/misadministration