misrule

[ mis-rool ]

noun

1. bad or unwise rule; misgovernment.
2. disorder or lawlessness.

verb (used with object)

, mis·ruled, mis·rul·ing.

1. to misgovern.

misrule

/ ˌmɪsˈruːl /

verb

1. tr to govern inefficiently or without humanity or justice

noun

1. inefficient or inhumane government
2. disorder

Other Words From

• mis·ruler noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of misrule¹

1300–50; Middle English misreulen (v.), misreule (noun). See mis- ¹, rule

Example Sentences

He later resigned over accusations of corruption and misrule.

From BBC

So, for years, they survived allegations of corruption, economic misrule, widespread human rights abuses and suppression of dissent.

From BBC

But first the Republicans who misrule the place honored their favorite president by blocking desperately needed aid for Ukraine — just as Donald Trump demanded.

From Los Angeles Times

And that fits into the larger goal of yet-to-come, wide-ranging congressional probes into D.C. affairs, which is to demonstrate that home rule constitutes misrule in a Democratic-dominated nation’s capital.

From Washington Post

And Putin, the career KGB officer, knows full well that preventing a vigorous Russian civil society from emerging is the key to his continued misrule in Russia.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• anarchy
• lawlessness