misgovern

[ mis-guhv-ern ]

verb (used with object)

1. to govern or manage badly.

misgovern

/ ˌmɪsˈɡʌvən /

verb

1. to govern badly

Derived Forms

• ˌmisˈgovernment, noun
• ˌmisˈgovernor, noun

Other Words From

• mis·govern·ment mis·govern·ance noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of misgovern¹

First recorded in 1375–1425, misgovern is from the late Middle English word misgovernen. See mis- ¹, govern

Example Sentences

But the Russians don’t have an authoritarian model for export, and other autocratic-minded governments don’t need inspiration from Moscow to run kleptocratic, corrupt, repressive and misgoverned regimes.

From Washington Post

Trump’s approach to governing — or misgoverning, as it might be described — has been on open display since his inauguration.

From Los Angeles Times

I have argued that a better life for people in a misgoverned country is an essential part of that effort.

From Washington Post

More important in Ukraine is that Russia will probably use the scandal to portray Zelensky as a minor leaguer and Ukraine as an incorrigibly misgoverned country.

From Washington Post

“Say more, every day, without fail, so it becomes common knowledge, lest we forget for a single day, the autocratic, despicable, heartless, obtuse being who misgoverns this country.”

From The Guardian

Related Words

• botch
• bungle
• err
• flub
• fumble
• misdirect
• mistreat
• misuse
• muff