What does misdoer mean?
A misdoer is a person who does wrong, especially by neglecting a responsibility or violating a moral principle. The word is less common than “wrongdoer” and “offender” but has a more strongly moral and sometimes literary tone. It can refer to major wrongdoing, as in a criminal or corrupt official, or more narrowly to a failure in conduct, such as negligence or repeated misconduct. A misdoer is therefore judged not only by an individual bad action but by a pattern of improper behavior. The term frequently appears in stories, sermons, moral fables, and formal accounts of misconduct, where the emphasis is on moral responsibility and the possibility of judgment or redemption. Although the expression is understood throughout the English-speaking world, it is now encountered more often in formal writing and religious or literary contexts than in everyday conversation.
nounA person who acts wrongly, fails to perform a duty, or behaves improperly.
- A person who acts wrongly, neglects a duty, or behaves improperly.
"He refused to accept that he had been a misdoer and continued to blame others."
"The company apologized for the misconduct of its former manager, who had long been regarded as a misdoer."
"In the moral tale, the misdoer ultimately repents and seeks forgiveness."
"No one should dismiss a child as a misdoer before giving them the chance to explain what happened."
The regular plural of “misdoer.”
"The story portrays the two misdoers as rivals who ultimately cooperate."
A misdoer is not merely someone who commits a bad deed, but someone whose deeds go wrong.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does misdoer come from?
The word was formed in the early 19th century from the prefix “mis-,” meaning wrongly or incorrectly, and the suffix “-doer,” meaning a person who does something. Its components continue to appear in related forms such as “misdo,” “misdeed,” and “misfactor.” The underlying verb “do” is Old English in origin, while the prefix and suffix gave the word its specialized sense of someone whose actions are faulty.
Related word forms
How misdoer is actually used
Relatively uncommon and more literary than “wrongdoer” or “offender.” It often carries a moral or religious tone, suggesting a person whose actions breach a duty, principle, or moral code.
Easily confused with misdoer
A wrongdoer is anyone who performs a wrong act, whereas a misdoer more specifically suggests someone who fails in their conduct or duty.