wrongdoing

noun

ˈrȯŋ-ˌdü-iŋ How to pronounce wrongdoing (audio)
Definition of wrongdoingnext
1
as in crime
a breaking of a moral or legal code a local newspaper exposed the contractor's elaborate attempts to cover up his wrongdoings

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in misconduct
improper or illegal behavior the police officer was found to be completely innocent of any wrongdoing

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of wrongdoing Watson, who continues to deny any wrongdoing, has not earned a dollar of his ironclad contract and hasn’t at all looked like an NFL quarterback, especially during that Saturday make-believe matchup against the Buffalo Bills. — Candace Buckner, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026 No legal protocol Unless someone is accused of wrongdoing in Haiti, legally Haitian authorities cannot hold them in prison. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 25 Aug. 2026 Walter has not been charged with wrongdoing in the insurance probe. — Dan Mangan, CNBC, 24 Aug. 2026 Several countries in Europe have set models for rehabilitating a democracy with fair and judicial retribution against former officials deemed accountable for wrongdoing. — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for wrongdoing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wrongdoing
  1. crime
  2. misconduct
  3. violation
  4. sin
Noun
  • Which of these adults will have their real estate crimes interrupted by those meddling kids and their puppy?
    — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The plan involves the United States taking more direct control over Venezuelan reserves as crime and steep logistical challenges discourage private investors.
    — Evan Halper, Washington Post, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of crime
Noun
  • Likewise, the fact that somebody correctly anticipated an announcement and made money does not by itself prove misconduct.
    — Robert Rapier, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Illinois does not have independent watchdogs investigating fraud, waste, abuse, misconduct or neglect in state government, agencies or public programs.
    — Collin Corbett, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of misconduct
Noun
  • The violations on the report include employees not having a food handler card, as well as no drain plugs being seen when observing the plumbing.
    — Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The states argue that Meta withheld relevant information from users and parents, who might have benefited from knowing the ineffectiveness of the feature and others like it, constituting a violation of consumer protection laws.
    — John Ruwitch, NPR, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of violation
Noun
  • Van Staden was joined in the sin-bin in the next minute by Cobus Reinach for a deliberate knock-on.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 Aug. 2026
  • In academia, there is no greater sin than passing off another’s work as one’s own.
    — Roger J. Kreuz, The Conversation, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of sin

Browse Nearby Words

wrongdoers
wrongdoing
wrongdoings
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Wrongdoing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wrongdoing. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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