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
This is political malpractice, designed to grease DeSantis’ path to the presidency and let legislators lie to voters about having cut taxes.
—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 20 June 2026
Rural hospitals have steadily closed labor and delivery units, citing financial losses, staffing shortages, and the high cost of malpractice insurance.
—Jocelyn Mitchell-Williams, STAT, 19 June 2026
Even in many cases where patients died or suffered severe permanent injuries because of malpractice, the physicians had no public disciplinary actions, an Atlanta Journal-Constitution analysis shows.
—Phoebe Quinton, AJC.com, 15 June 2026
To say much more would be critical malpractice.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 9 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for malpractice
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Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 20 June 2026
Rural hospitals have steadily closed labor and delivery units, citing financial losses, staffing shortages, and the high cost of malpractice insurance.
—Jocelyn Mitchell-Williams, STAT, 19 June 2026
Even in many cases where patients died or suffered severe permanent injuries because of malpractice, the physicians had no public disciplinary actions, an Atlanta Journal-Constitution analysis shows.
—Phoebe Quinton, AJC.com, 15 June 2026
To say much more would be critical malpractice.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 9 June 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 25 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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