as in negligence
the nonperformance of an assigned or expected action
you can sue for nonfeasance if the company doesn't fulfill the contract
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Recent Examples of nonfeasance
The governor may be impeached for malfeasance or nonfeasance in the performance of official duties.
—
Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 4 Mar. 2026
In ruling on nonfeasance, the courts would have to weigh whether lawmakers have repeatedly failed to do their official duties, said Jason Marisam, an associate professor at Mitchell Hamline School of Law in St. Paul and former Minnesota assistant attorney general.
—Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 4 Feb. 2025
Finally, Fauci’s role in this miasma remains unclear — in part because of his obfuscation and in part the nonfeasance of scientific journalists who for years haven’t aggressively pursued COVID-19’s origin story.
—Cory Franklin, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2025
The response says Paul was suspended for gross misconduct, neglect of duty, nonfeasance and failure of good behavior.
—Cameron Knight, The Enquirer, 2 July 2024
In practice, our too-complex system degrades just about every public responsibility into nonfeasance.
—Daniel Henninger, WSJ, 1 June 2022
The institution is one of the largest banks in the U.S. and an ongoing source of some difficult to differentiate apparent combination of misfeasance, nonfeasance, and malfeasance.
—Erik Sherman, Forbes, 28 Sep. 2021
However, Albertson ruled that misfeasance and nonfeasance are not listed as crimes under Virginia’s state code, according to attorneys for the defendants.
—Antonio Olivo, Washington Post, 29 Oct. 2019
Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 4 Mar. 2026
In ruling on nonfeasance, the courts would have to weigh whether lawmakers have repeatedly failed to do their official duties, said Jason Marisam, an associate professor at Mitchell Hamline School of Law in St. Paul and former Minnesota assistant attorney general.
—Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 4 Feb. 2025
Finally, Fauci’s role in this miasma remains unclear — in part because of his obfuscation and in part the nonfeasance of scientific journalists who for years haven’t aggressively pursued COVID-19’s origin story.
—Cory Franklin, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2025
The response says Paul was suspended for gross misconduct, neglect of duty, nonfeasance and failure of good behavior.
—Cameron Knight, The Enquirer, 2 July 2024
In practice, our too-complex system degrades just about every public responsibility into nonfeasance.
—Daniel Henninger, WSJ, 1 June 2022
The institution is one of the largest banks in the U.S. and an ongoing source of some difficult to differentiate apparent combination of misfeasance, nonfeasance, and malfeasance.
—Erik Sherman, Forbes, 28 Sep. 2021
However, Albertson ruled that misfeasance and nonfeasance are not listed as crimes under Virginia’s state code, according to attorneys for the defendants.
—Antonio Olivo, Washington Post, 29 Oct. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nonfeasance
Noun
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His mother and young son sued in 2022, alleging wrongful death, assault and battery, and negligence.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
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The lawsuit accused the Port of Bremerton of gross negligence and breach of contract for its failure to ensure safety at the marina.—
Anthony Thompson,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Cornelius endorsed the revitalization plan in 2022, which seeks to modernize the area and fix problems stemming from long-term neglect.—
Nick Sullivan,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Apr. 2026
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Strength in one pillar supports the others; neglect in one weakens all three.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nonfeasance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nonfeasance. Accessed 29 Apr. 2026.
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