misdeed

Everyday

1. (formal) A wrong or bad action, especially a crime or a breaking of rules. tree →
2. Something naughty or wicked that a person has done. tree →

In the lessons

In stories, history and RE lessons, characters confess their misdeeds and say sorry; villains are punished for their misdeeds. In church life, confession is a time to admit misdeeds and ask for forgiveness. Phrases: past misdeeds, punished for his misdeeds, own up to a misdeed.

Examples

• The king was punished for his misdeeds. tree →
• The pirate confessed his misdeeds before he died. tree →
• Everyone has small misdeeds they regret. tree →
• In the story, the boy owns up to his misdeed and says sorry. tree →
• The newspaper reported the company's misdeeds. tree →
• Christians believe God forgives misdeeds when people are truly sorry. tree →
• The weak are made to suffer for the misdeeds of the powerful. tree →

Note

Countable; usually plural «misdeeds». A bit formal or old-fashioned; in speech say «wrong», «bad thing», «crime». «Mis-» means badly or wrongly; «deed» means an action.

In Jewish tradition

A misdeed is a sin or wrong act, something done against God's law.

Interpretation. The Psalm says God forgave Israel and still held them to account. Tradition reads this as both mercy and justice.

Examples

• O LORD our God, Thou didst answer them; a forgiving God wast Thou unto them, though Thou tookest vengeance of their misdeeds. (Writings PSA.99.8, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Countable; usually plural «misdeeds». A bit formal or old-fashioned; in speech say «wrong», «bad thing», «crime». «Mis-» means badly or wrongly; «deed» means an action.