wrongdoing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wrongdoing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to an act that is morally or legally wrong. Example: "The investigation revealed evidence of wrongdoing within the organization."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

At the time, Clinton denied any wrongdoing and said the decision was a matter of "convenience".

The Guardian

The three deny any wrongdoing.

The Economist

She said the IPCC had found no wrongdoing or misconduct for any of the armed officers involved in the operation and the recommendations would "be carefully reviewed by both ourselves and the Association of Chief Police Officers".

The Guardian

An American couple cleared by a Qatari appeals court of wrongdoing in the death of their eight-year-old adopted daughter but blocked from leaving the country held out hope on Monday that they would soon be allowed to leave the tiny Gulf nation, as a family representative blasted a continued travel ban against them as "institutional kidnapping".

The Guardian

The revelations – contained in a previously unseen email sent by Dave Hartnett, the then head of HMRC – also bring to light the fact that Amyas Morse, the head of the National Audit Office NAOO), told his staff that the review by Sir Andrew Park would find no evidence of serious wrongdoing.

The Guardian

"He continues to reject all claims of wrongdoing and we hold that the integrity of the court system was marred by the bias, slurs and factual inaccuracies in the election judgment".

The Guardian

But, that did not make me guilty of any wrongdoing in this [the Cantona] incident".

The Guardian - Sport

Watson repeatedly said George was not accused of any wrongdoing, but said he was trying to "get to the bottom of" why the expenses were approved.

The Guardian

In November, two months after Arfee's death was ruled unjustifiable, the officers who killed Jeanetta were cleared of wrongdoing by a local prosecutor who reviewed the investigation conducted by the Bonner County sheriff's office.

The Guardian

Sherborne said: "It is abundantly clear that the documentary evidence before the court is only likely to reveal a tiny proportion of the total wrongdoing committed by MGN as against each of the claimants – merely the very tip of the proverbial iceberg".

The Guardian

Banda denies wrongdoing, claiming that this is yet another hangover from the Mutharika regime.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "wrongdoing" to describe actions that violate established standards or laws, maintaining a neutral tone to avoid bias.

Common error

While "wrongdoing" is versatile, avoid using it in overly casual situations where simpler terms like "mistake" or "error" would be more appropriate. Reserve "wrongdoing" for more significant violations of rules or ethics.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "wrongdoing" is as a noun. It is used to refer to actions or behavior that are considered morally or legally wrong. As evidenced by Ludwig AI, it often appears as the object of a verb, such as "deny wrongdoing" or "investigate wrongdoing".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

83%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

7%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "wrongdoing" is a commonly used noun that signifies a violation of ethical or legal standards. Ludwig AI indicates that it is frequently used in news and formal contexts, denoting actions ranging from unethical behavior to illegal activities. While grammatically straightforward, it's essential to use "wrongdoing" appropriately, supported by evidence and in contexts that warrant its serious connotation. Alternatives like "misconduct", "malfeasance", and "illegal activity" may provide better specificity depending on the situation. Ludwig AI confirms its prevalent use in reputable sources, reinforcing its validity in formal and professional communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Misconduct

A general term for unacceptable or improper behavior, often in a professional context; less formal than "wrongdoing".

Malfeasance

Refers to wrongdoing or misconduct, especially by a public official; more specific and formal than "wrongdoing".

Illegal activity

Specifically denotes actions that are against the law; less broad than "wrongdoing", which can include unethical behavior.

Unethical behavior

Actions that violate moral principles but may not be illegal; "wrongdoing" can encompass both unethical and illegal actions.

Impropriety

Suggests a lack of appropriateness or conformity to standards, often in conduct or manners; a more subtle form of "wrongdoing".

Transgression

An act that goes against a law, rule, or code of conduct; emphasizes the violation aspect of "wrongdoing".

Offense

A breach of a law or rule; similar to "wrongdoing" but can also refer to emotional harm.

Delinquency

Often used to describe minor offenses or failures in duty; "wrongdoing" is generally more serious.

Misdeed

A bad or illegal act; a more informal and less serious term than "wrongdoing".

Breach of conduct

Violation of established rules or norms of behavior, often in a professional setting; similar in scope to "wrongdoing" but more specific.

FAQs

What is the definition of "wrongdoing"?

"Wrongdoing" refers to behavior that is morally or legally wrong. It encompasses a range of violations from minor ethical breaches to serious illegal acts. The term is broad and can be used in many contexts.

What are some synonyms for "wrongdoing"?

Synonyms for "wrongdoing" include "misconduct", "malfeasance", "illegal activity", and "unethical behavior". The best choice depends on the specific context.

How do I use "wrongdoing" in a sentence?

You can use "wrongdoing" to describe specific actions or general patterns of behavior. For example, "The investigation uncovered evidence of serious wrongdoing" or "He denied any wrongdoing in the matter".

What is the difference between "wrongdoing" and "mistake"?

"Mistake" generally refers to an unintentional error, while "wrongdoing" implies a deliberate or negligent violation of a standard or law. "Wrongdoing" is typically more serious and carries ethical or legal implications.