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
Family members of victims of malpractice have been fighting for eight years to overturn the law called the Wrongful Death Act.
—
Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 29 May 2025
The prosecutors in the case seek to prove that there was malpractice during his home hospitalization and that the medical team responsible for his care acted recklessly and negligently.
—Abel Alvarado, CNN Money, 29 May 2025
In April, an Idaho medical malpractice lawsuit against Cole was dismissed following a private legal agreement, months after six doctors disagreed with Cole’s severe cancer diagnosis that led a woman to undergo major surgery, the Sun previously reported.
—Kyle Pfannenstiel, Idaho Statesman, 22 May 2025
The medical malpractice lawsuit was filed May 16 in Hennepin County against Allina Health System and Devon Callahan, MD.
—Jennifer Rodriguez, Kansas City Star, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for malpractice
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Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 29 May 2025
The prosecutors in the case seek to prove that there was malpractice during his home hospitalization and that the medical team responsible for his care acted recklessly and negligently.
—Abel Alvarado, CNN Money, 29 May 2025
In April, an Idaho medical malpractice lawsuit against Cole was dismissed following a private legal agreement, months after six doctors disagreed with Cole’s severe cancer diagnosis that led a woman to undergo major surgery, the Sun previously reported.
—Kyle Pfannenstiel, Idaho Statesman, 22 May 2025
The medical malpractice lawsuit was filed May 16 in Hennepin County against Allina Health System and Devon Callahan, MD.
—Jennifer Rodriguez, Kansas City Star, 20 May 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 3 Jun. 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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