misdemeanour

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "misdemeanour" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal contexts to refer to a minor wrongdoing or a less serious crime compared to a felony. Example: "The defendant was charged with a misdemeanour for vandalizing public property."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Petraeus, who currently works for New York investment firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co as a consultant, pleaded guilty in March to the misdemeanour charge of mishandling classified materials.

The Guardian

Because if it does no one will ever let you forget it, bringing up your little misdemeanour for the next 10 Christmases.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Watts and Brian Lucas entered the pleas, denying the misdemeanour charges, at a brief hearing in Los Angeles on Tuesday, said their attorney, Lou Shapiro.

The Guardian

In July, Bieber pleaded no contest to misdemeanour vandalism for pelting a neighbour's California home with eggs.

The Guardian - Music

This is usually counted as a misdemeanour, but a prosecutor in Los Angeles got it classed as a felony.

The Economist

Tom Malinowski's misdemeanour was a meeting with the main (and licensed) opposition party, al-Wefaq.

The Economist

A moral lapse, even a misdemeanour, can probably be kept secret.

The Economist

They have proved themselves perfectly capable of foot-dragging and coverups after some disaster or other, such as the shooting dead of civil-rights marchers in Northern Ireland on Bloody Sunday.But the idea that someone in power, with malice aforethought, authorised the cold-blooded murder of a British citizen whose only misdemeanour was speaking to a journalist feels different.

The Economist

But there are other places where more liberal voices seem to be gaining the upper hand.In the United States, trading in sex is a misdemeanour, at least, almost everywhere, with the exceptions of Rhode Island (where it can take place only indoors, but not in brothels); and, most famously and brashly, in parts of Nevada.

The Economist

Another suit is underway addressing the jail's approach to adult inmates.Many of the jail's prisoners are simply awaiting trial for misdemeanour offenses, too poor to post bail.

The Economist

And since 2006, thanks to a "Romeo and Juliet" clause in a sex-crimes law, consensual sex between two teenagers has been a misdemeanour, not a crime, if one partner is underage but no more than four years younger than the other.The Romeo and Juliet clause was not retroactive, however, so Ms Whitaker is stuck on the register, and subject to extraordinary restrictions.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "misdemeanour" when referring to a minor offense in legal contexts, especially when comparing it to a more serious crime like a felony. It's particularly useful in news reports or legal documents where precision is needed.

Common error

Avoid using "misdemeanour" to describe serious crimes; it specifically denotes a minor offense. Ensure your language accurately reflects the severity of the crime to maintain clarity and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "misdemeanour" is as a noun, referring to a minor wrongdoing or offense. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it's commonly used in legal and journalistic contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Encyclopedias

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "misdemeanour" functions as a noun, denoting a minor offense within legal and ethical frameworks. It is mainly used in the fields of news, encyclopedias, and formal business, indicating its widespread use. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status in written English. When using the term, ensure it accurately reflects the severity of the offense, distinguishing it from more serious crimes like felonies. For alternative phrasing, consider "minor offense" or "petty crime".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minor offense

Direct synonym, referring to a crime less serious than a felony.

petty crime

Similar to minor offense, but often suggests the crime is insignificant or trivial.

lesser offense

Emphasizes the reduced severity of the crime compared to others.

minor violation

Suitable when the wrongdoing is a breach of rules or regulations, not necessarily a crime.

slight transgression

Suggests a minor breach of moral or social codes.

small infraction

Appropriate for breaches of rules, laws or agreements.

technical violation

Highlights that the violation is based on a strict interpretation of rules, and may not be morally wrong.

summary offence

A minor offense that is triable by a judge without a jury.

youthful indiscretion

Minor misbehavior associated to young people.

policy breach

Failure to adhere to the rules within a determined policy.

FAQs

How does a "misdemeanour" differ from a felony?

A "misdemeanour" is a less serious crime, typically punishable by fines or short jail terms, whereas a felony is a more severe crime that can result in longer prison sentences and loss of certain civil rights. For example, vandalism might be a "misdemeanour", while armed robbery is a felony.

What are some common examples of a "misdemeanour"?

Common examples of a "misdemeanour" include petty theft, simple assault, trespassing, and traffic violations. These offenses are generally less serious than felonies and carry lighter penalties.

What can I say instead of "misdemeanour"?

You can use alternatives like "minor offense", "petty crime", or "lesser offense" depending on the context.

Is "misdemeanour" the same as "misdemeanor"?

"Misdemeanour" is the British English spelling, while "misdemeanor" is the American English spelling. Both terms refer to the same type of minor offense; the spelling difference is purely regional.