malfeasance

[ mal-fee-zuhns ]

noun

, Law.

1. the performance of an act that is legally unjustified, harmful, or contrary to law, especially by a public official or a person in a position of public trust. Compare misfeasance ( def 2 ), nonfeasance ( def ).

malfeasance

/ mælˈfiːzəns /

noun

1. law the doing of a wrongful or illegal act, esp by a public official Compare misfeasance nonfeasance

Derived Forms

• malˈfeasant, nounadjective

Other Words From

• mal·fea·sant adjective noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of malfeasance¹

First recorded in 1660–70; earlier malefeasance. See male-, feasance

Word History and Origins

Origin of malfeasance¹

C17: from Old French mal faisant, from mal evil + faisant doing, from faire to do, from Latin facere

Example Sentences

“As Outfest was imploding, members of the Outfest Board threw Plaintiff under the bus and sought to make him a scape goat for their own malfeasance.”

From Los Angeles Times

The link between my interest in culture and corporate malfeasance is through ideology.

From Salon

I don’t know how to interpret the new Georgia law or what exactly it means by “irregularity” or “malfeasance.”

From Salon

Such inconsistencies are commonplace, not evidence of malfeasance, and only in extremely rare circumstances affect the outcome of elections.

From Salon

“Corporate malfeasance must be confronted, or it will proliferate,” the letter said.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• impropriety
• misbehavior
• misconduct