malfeasance

noun

mal·​fea·​sance ˌmal-ˈfē-zᵊn(t)s 

: wrongdoing or misconduct especially by a public official

The investigation has uncovered evidence of corporate malfeasance.

Synonyms

• misbehavior
• misconduct
• misdoing
• wrongdoing

Examples of malfeasance in a Sentence

The investigation has uncovered evidence of corporate malfeasance.

a campaign to impeach the governor for malfeasance in office

Recent Examples on the Web

Trump has looked to eviscerate for-cause removal protections that Congress has implemented for various federal independent agencies, which prevent the president from removing leaders except for neglect of duty or malfeasance in office. —Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 9 Apr. 2025

If such funding for these programs continues under some other venue, without a proper structure for management to ensure equitable distribution and implementation of funding and guidelines, malfeasance and non-compliance are inevitable. —Patricia A. Daniel, Baltimore Sun, 13 Apr. 2025

The temptation to exploit the power of incumbency to fight malfeasance on eye-for-an-eye terms is strong. —Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 31 Mar. 2025

Examples of government malfeasance in California are way too many to list. —Jon Coupal, Oc Register, 31 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

mal- + obsolete feasance doing, execution

First Known Use

1663, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for malfeasance

• defeasance
• misfeasance
• nonfeasance
• treasons

Kids Definition

malfeasance

noun

mal·​fea·​sance (ˈ)mal-ˈfēz-ᵊn(t)s 

: wrongful conduct especially by a public official

Legal Definition

malfeasance

noun

mal·​fea·​sance ˌmal-ˈfēz-ᵊns 

: the commission (as by a public official) of a wrongful or unlawful act involving or affecting the performance of one's duties compare misfeasance, nonfeasance

Etymology

mal- bad + obsolete English feasance doing, execution, from Old French faisance, from fais-, stem of faire to make, do, from Latin facere