misfeasance

noun

mis·​fea·​sance mis-ˈfē-zᵊn(t)s 

: a wrongful action

specifically : the performance of a lawful action (as an official duty) in an illegal or improper manner or with an improper or corrupt motive

misfeasor

mis-ˈfē-zər 

-ˌzȯr

noun

Examples of misfeasance in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The list of allowable grounds includes malfeasance, misfeasance, neglect of duty, habitual drunkenness, incompetence, or permanent inability to perform official duties. —Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 Aug. 2025

Last August, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul called for a meticulous reexamination of the oldest missing-teens case in America following a Rolling Stone investigation detailing decades of police incompetence and misfeasance. —Eric J. Greenberg, Rolling Stone, 27 July 2024

The committee is made up of five lawmakers who can look into complaints of misconduct, including malfeasance, misfeasance, abuse of office, incompetency and workplace conduct by state officers and employees. —Lauren McGaughy, Dallas News, 28 May 2023

These hearings will likely uncover more misfeasance in the crypto space. —Aaron Klein, Time, 22 Nov. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Middle French mesfaisance, from mesfaire to do wrong, from mes- mis- + faire to make, do, from Latin facere — more at do

First Known Use

circa 1626, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for misfeasance

• defeasance
• malfeasance
• nonfeasance
• treasons

Legal Definition

misfeasance

noun

mis·​fea·​sance mis-ˈfēz-ᵊns 

: the performance of a lawful action in an illegal or improper manner

specifically : the performance of an official duty in an improper or unlawful manner or with an improper or corrupt motive compare malfeasance, nonfeasance

Etymology

Anglo-French misfesance, from Middle French mesfaire to do wrong, from mes- wrongly + faire to make, do, from Latin facere