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

According to a Vox report, the malfeasance allegations against Gunn are largely unfounded. —Angela Watercutter, WIRED, 16 Aug. 2024

If Trump is elected, he is expected to try to exact revenge by prosecuting Biden for, say, allegedly corrupt uses of the Justice Department or for alleged malfeasance regarding the border. —Jeannie Suk Gersen, The New Yorker, 12 July 2024

Then there was the corruption scandal that rocked the island's government five years ago, again revealing malfeasance and improprieties. —Antonio Fins, USA TODAY, 17 July 2024

In April, the Low campaign accused Liccardo of malfeasance because his supporters funded the recount. —Ann Ravel, The Mercury News, 13 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

mal- + obsolete feasance doing, execution

First Known Use

1663, in the meaning defined above

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