misrule 1 of 2

noun

Definition of misrulenext
as in anarchy
a state in which there is widespread wrongdoing and disregard for rules and authority the country's long period of misrule left it in economic turmoil for over a decade

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

misrule

2 of 2

verb

ˌmis-ˈrül How to pronounce misrule (audio)
as in to misconduct
to manage badly accused of misruling his island nation to the point of economic collapse

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 misrule
Noun
But, after decades of misrule, the PA is wildly unpopular among Palestinians themselves. — Ilan Berman, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025 Destroying the Iraqi armed forces and the Taliban was far easier than installing new governments and stabilizing countries that had been traumatized by years of misrule. — Peter R. Mansoor, Foreign Affairs, 13 Mar. 2023
Verb
The result is a society that feels both rule-bound and misruled, saturated with laws and yet strangely lawless. — Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 9 Sep. 2025 Congo had been brutally misruled by Belgium for over 70 years when the winds of change blew through in the late 1950s. — Zachariah Mampilly, Foreign Affairs, 28 Feb. 2023 See All Example Sentences for misrule
Recent Examples of Synonyms for misrule
  1. anarchy
  2. misconduct
  3. abuse
  4. misgovern
  5. damage
  6. mismanage
  7. violate
Noun
  • Few if any of the committees called for democracy, which probably would have smacked of anarchy to them.
    — T. H. Breen, The Atlantic, 3 July 2026
  • Just anarchy, all in the name of 8U baseball.
    — Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 17 June 2026
Definition of anarchy
Verb
  • In addition, referees were instructed to apply the rules regarding fouls and misconducts more strictly – a move meant to protect players and their inventiveness.
    — Cesar R. Torres, The Conversation, 26 May 2026
Definition of misconduct
Verb
  • For more on how attackers can abuse connected devices, see our report on how the FBI warned that more than 1 million Android devices were hijacked by malware.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
  • Some dogs fear brooms, vacuum cleaners or other household products, particularly if they’ve been hurt or abused in the past.
    — BestReviews, Mercury News, 2 July 2026
Definition of abuse
Verb
  • But a ruling class that systematically blinds itself to the most profound longings of human beings will misunderstand and misgovern those under its sway.
    — Benjamin and Jenna Storey, WSJ, 12 Oct. 2021
Definition of misgovern
Verb
  • Some of these storms could be severe and deliver damaging wind gusts, but any thunderstorm will contain lightning — a major danger for any outdoor activities, especially for anyone trying to escape the heat in or on the water.
    — Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 4 July 2026
  • Diseases that damage the kidneys and impair their ability to filter blood were blamed for 55,081 deaths in 2024.
    — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
Definition of damage
Verb
  • Founders often mismanage their crucial first sales hire, mistakenly seeking candidates suited for large corporations.
    — Kate Morgan, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
  • Her ability to mismanage several things at once is truly remarkable.
    — John Phillips, Oc Register, 20 Jan. 2026
Definition of mismanage
Verb
  • Judge Sullivan concluded in his June 25 decision to order Blanche to release more information or explain himself that Blanche had likely violated the transparency law.
    — Aysha Bagchi, USA Today, 3 July 2026
  • Guests were reportedly required to sign nondisclosure agreements before receiving any event details (although the NDAs were said not to have included any penalties for violating the terms).
    — Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
Definition of violate

Browse Nearby Words

misrepresents
misrule
misruled
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Cite this Entry

“Misrule.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misrule. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on misrule

Nglish: Translation of misrule for Spanish Speakers

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