misconduct
misconduct Lexical Profile
misconduct Game Scores & Validity
• noun
Unacceptable, unethical, or unlawful behavior, especially by an employee, official, or professional person in the course of their duties.
"The university launched a formal investigation into allegations of academic misconduct."
Incompetent or negligent management of an undertaking, affair, or duty.
"The inquiry concluded that the financial crisis resulted from years of administrative misconduct."
• verb
To behave improperly, unethically, or unlawfully (used reflexively).
"He was suspended from the board after he misconducted himself during the annual conference."
To manage or carry out an affair, investigation, or duty badly or improperly.
"The defense attorney argued that the authorities had misconducted the initial inquiry."
Word Nuance & Usage
Like several other English noun-verb pairs, 'misconduct' is a heteronym: the noun is typically stressed on the second syllable (mis-CON-duct), whereas the verb is stressed on the final syllable (mis-con-DUCT).
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Formed in the early 18th century by attaching the prefix 'mis-' (badly, wrongly) to 'conduct', which derives from the Latin 'conductus', past participle of 'conducere' ('to lead or bring together').