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
The following year, Jack filed a lawsuit against the hospital alleging medical malpractice and the family was awarded more than $210 million in damages.
—
Sophie Dodd, PEOPLE, 9 Nov. 2025
Current law already requires PAs to have malpractice liability insurance.
—Jessie Opoien, jsonline.com, 7 Nov. 2025
The prosecution has accused Khan of keeping the Bulgari set and 107 other state gifts through similar malpractices.
—Rafia Zakaria, Time, 6 Nov. 2025
His inauguration in 2024, after years of political malaise, raised hopes that rampant corruption and chronic malpractices could finally be reined in.
—Ladan Anoushfar, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for malpractice
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Sophie Dodd, PEOPLE, 9 Nov. 2025
Current law already requires PAs to have malpractice liability insurance.
—Jessie Opoien, jsonline.com, 7 Nov. 2025
The prosecution has accused Khan of keeping the Bulgari set and 107 other state gifts through similar malpractices.
—Rafia Zakaria, Time, 6 Nov. 2025
His inauguration in 2024, after years of political malaise, raised hopes that rampant corruption and chronic malpractices could finally be reined in.
—Ladan Anoushfar, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for malpractice
Cite this Entry
“Malpractice.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/malpractice. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
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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