misdeeds

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'misdeeds' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this word to refer to a wrong, immoral, or illegal act. Example sentence: The judge sentenced the criminal to five years in prison for his misdeeds.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Thirteen support Nihon Kaigi, a nationalist think-tank that advocates a return to 'traditional values' and rejects Japan's 'apology diplomacy' for its wartime misdeeds.

The New York Times

McNulty and Greggs's "turning" of both Omar and Bubbles in this series seems very believable – although the blind eye the two detectives later turn to some of Omar's more outrageous misdeeds stretches credibility a bit.

The Guardian

How many are the misdeeds we inflict on our children to which Britain's "cult of criminality" should now turn its attention?

The Guardian - Opinion

A serving president can be removed only for misdeeds committed during his or her current term of office.

The Economist

He makes much of his efforts to hold individuals to account for financial misdeeds, something federal authorities have tried but failed to do in the wake of the financial crisis.

The Economist

Among the many stories used to illustrate these misdeeds, one of the most stunning is that of James Obergefell and John Arthur, who had "built a life together" for 29 years before Mr Arthur was diagnosed, in 2011, with ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease:[T]he couple resolved to marry before John died.

The Economist

More than ten senior executives have been arrested in connection with financial misdeeds.

The Economist

For all their other misdeeds, the banks would not have kept producing garbage loans had they not been able to sell them to willing buyers.

The Economist

Mr Manning, who was found guilty of most of the charges brought against him at a court-martial last month, said he meant no harm but had wanted to bring attention to American misdeeds during the Iraq war.

The Economist

Still, his administration has been accused of nepotism and cronyism over the hiring of children of senior officials and an unqualified campaign supporter.In the past the mayor has denied running a corrupt campaign, claiming ignorance of his aides' misdeeds.

The Economist

More unfairly still, the misdeeds of one company can tarnish all its competitors as well.Some of the most vigorous wreckers of reputations have been NGOs.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "misdeeds" to refer to serious wrongdoings, especially those that involve a breach of trust or moral code. It's often used in formal contexts when discussing legal or ethical violations.

Common error

Avoid using "misdeeds" in casual conversation. Opt for simpler words like "mistakes" or "wrongdoings" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "misdeeds" is as a plural noun. It refers to multiple instances of immoral, illegal, or unethical behavior. Ludwig confirms that "misdeeds" is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "misdeeds" functions as a plural noun, commonly used to describe multiple instances of wrong, immoral, or illegal actions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used in written English, particularly within news and formal business contexts. While frequently encountered, it is best reserved for more formal settings, with alternatives like "mistakes" or "wrongdoings" being more appropriate for casual conversations. It is important to use "misdeeds" when referring to significant breaches of trust or ethical standards. Overall, "misdeeds" is a valuable term for articulating wrongdoing in professional and serious discussions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wrongdoings

Highlights the action of doing something wrong, often emphasizing the moral aspect.

transgressions

Emphasizes the violation of laws or moral boundaries.

offenses

Focuses on the act of breaking a rule or law.

delicts

A more formal and legal term for offenses or wrongdoings.

malfeasances

Specifically refers to misconduct, especially by public officials.

improprieties

Indicates actions that are inappropriate or unethical.

lapses

Suggests temporary failures in judgment or behavior.

faults

General term for mistakes or weaknesses in character.

sins

Refers to moral or religious wrongdoings.

shortcomings

Highlights deficiencies or failures to meet a standard.

FAQs

How can I use "misdeeds" in a sentence?

You can use "misdeeds" to refer to wrong or immoral actions, such as "The politician was investigated for his past "misdeeds"".

What's a good synonym for "misdeeds"?

A good synonym for "misdeeds" is "wrongdoings", which also refers to immoral or illegal acts.

Is "misdeeds" a formal word?

Yes, "misdeeds" is generally considered a formal word, often used in legal or official contexts. In less formal situations, words like "mistakes" or "wrongdoings" might be more appropriate.

What is the difference between "misdeeds" and "mistakes"?

"Misdeeds" implies intentional wrongdoing or immoral behavior, while "mistakes" generally refer to unintentional errors or oversights.