malpractice
noun
mal·prac·tice
ˌmal-ˈprak-təs 
1
: a dereliction of professional duty or a failure to exercise an ordinary degree of professional skill or learning by one (such as a physician) rendering professional services which results in injury, loss, or damage
2
: an injurious, negligent, or improper practice : malfeasance
Examples of malpractice in a Sentence
a surgeon accused of malpractice
Doctors need to have malpractice insurance to protect themselves against lawsuits.
Recent Examples on the Web
Allowing that uncertainty to bleed into the second half would be roster malpractice.
—
Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 May 2026
One lawyer in Texas has started filing malpractice lawsuits.
—Kavitha Surana, CNN Money, 28 May 2026
Furthermore, these financial pressures come on top of the rising cost of staffing, technology, compliance and malpractice coverage.
—Robert Pearl, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
Between graduating from law school in 1977 and running for his first office, Cornyn served at a private law practice defending doctors in malpractice suits.
—Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for malpractice
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Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 May 2026
One lawyer in Texas has started filing malpractice lawsuits.
—Kavitha Surana, CNN Money, 28 May 2026
Furthermore, these financial pressures come on top of the rising cost of staffing, technology, compliance and malpractice coverage.
—Robert Pearl, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
Between graduating from law school in 1977 and running for his first office, Cornyn served at a private law practice defending doctors in malpractice suits.
—Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for malpractice
Cite this Entry
“Malpractice.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/malpractice. Accessed 3 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
malpractice
noun
mal·prac·tice
(ˈ)mal-ˈprak-təs
: violation of professional standards especially by carelessness or improper conduct
Medical Definition
malpractice
1 of 2 noun
mal·prac·tice
(ˈ)mal-ˈprak-təs
: a dereliction of professional duty or a failure to exercise an accepted degree of professional skill or learning by a physician rendering professional services which results in injury, loss, or damage
malpractice
2 of 2 intransitive verb
malpracticed; malpracticing
: to engage in or commit malpractice
Legal Definition
malpractice
noun
mal·prac·tice
ˌmal-ˈprak-təs
: negligence, misconduct, lack of ordinary skill, or a breach of duty in the performance of a professional service (as in medicine) resulting in injury or loss
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