mismanagement

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'mismanagement' is correct and commonly used in written English.
It refers to the act of managing or handling something poorly or inefficiently. Example: The company's financial troubles were a result of years of mismanagement by its previous management team.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They did try, but I think it was a case of mismanagement and not knowing how to deal with disability effectively".

The Guardian

They are worried his rhetoric to take over government nationally will bring a defensive, authoritarian response from the incumbent government and that his young coalition lacks the experience to address the growing national problems exacerbated by Abdullah's mismanagement.

The Guardian - Opinion

The investigators have said they are pressing charges "on suspicion of mismanagement, budget fraud, forgery of private documents and unauthorised financial activity".

The Guardian

Pervasive corruption and mismanagement fostered political and economic instability until 2003, when a former justice minister, Mikheil Saakashvili, led an uprising known as the Rose revolution.

The Guardian

The NY Times notes that US corporate governance experts believe the long history between News Corp and several of its independent directors "is a glaring example of how chumminess in the boardroom can allow and even contribute to mismanagement".

The Guardian

Ballantyne had made strenuous efforts to disassociate himself from the financial mismanagement that had seen Airdrieonians disappear under a mountain of debt.

The Guardian - Sport

Despite reaching the Uefa Cup final in 1992, Torino spent a good part of the 90s in Serie B, while repeated financial mismanagement meant that any small step forward was swiftly followed by two in the opposite direction.

The Guardian - Sport

He claimed Osborne's own economic mismanagement, particularly a swingeing supplementary duty imposed in 2011, was partly to blame for the sector's slump.

The Guardian

He will also have to prove he can usher in a new type of politics, free of the corruption and mismanagement that dogged the Yanukovych regime.

The Guardian

Fayehun's ​style has proved popular: ​pithy, well-researched social commentary and news combined with satire and comedy Nigerian-born Fayehun is based in New York, where she has teamed up with Sowore, who launched the website Sahara Reporters in 2006 to encourage citizen journalists to report on corruption and mismanagement in Nigeria.

The Guardian

The film reimagines a classic instance of record company mismanagement of a genius musician's innovatory ambitions.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing "mismanagement", be specific about the area or function affected (e.g., financial "mismanagement", project "mismanagement"). This adds clarity and impact to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "mismanagement" as a vague accusation. Instead of stating, "The company suffered from "mismanagement"," specify which aspects were poorly managed, such as "supply chain "mismanagement"" or "resource "mismanagement"", to provide a more concrete and actionable critique.

Linguistic Context

The word "mismanagement" functions primarily as a noun, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms that this word is commonly used, describing the act of managing something poorly. Examples include: "financial "mismanagement"" and "project "mismanagement"".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

28%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "mismanagement" is a commonly used noun that refers to the act of managing something poorly or ineffectively. Ludwig AI highlights its correctness and frequent use across various contexts. The phrase is often used to criticize failures and assign blame, appearing most frequently in news and media, formal business, and scientific contexts. While suitable for both formal and informal settings, it's crucial to be specific about the area affected by "mismanagement" to enhance clarity. Alternative phrases include "poor administration", "inefficient management", and "incompetent handling", offering subtle nuances in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

maladministration

A more formal term indicating improper or unethical administration.

inefficient management

Focuses specifically on the lack of efficiency in the management process.

poor administration

Emphasizes the inadequate or deficient execution of administrative duties.

incompetent handling

Highlights the lack of skill or ability in dealing with a situation or resources.

failure of leadership

Places the blame directly on inadequate leadership.

bungling

Suggests clumsiness or ineptitude in handling something.

flawed execution

Highlights errors and imperfections in the carrying out of a plan or task.

strategic errors

Pinpoints mistakes in the overall strategy or planning.

operational deficiencies

Draws attention to weaknesses and shortcomings in the operational aspects.

organizational chaos

Emphasizes a state of complete disorder and lack of structure.

FAQs

How can I use "mismanagement" in a sentence?

You can use "mismanagement" to describe the act of managing something badly. For example: "The company's downfall was due to years of financial "mismanagement".

What are some synonyms for "mismanagement"?

Alternatives to "mismanagement" include "poor administration", "inefficient management", or "incompetent handling", each conveying a slightly different nuance of ineffective management.

Is "mismanagement" a formal or informal term?

"Mismanagement" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though more formal synonyms like "maladministration" might be preferred in strictly professional settings.

What's the difference between "mismanagement" and "negligence"?

"Mismanagement" refers to the act of managing something badly, while "negligence" implies a failure to exercise the care that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in similar circumstances. "Mismanagement" can be intentional or unintentional, whereas "negligence" is usually unintentional.