MALEFACTION Synonyms: 55 Similar and Opposite Words

malefaction

noun

ˌma-lə-ˈfak-shən

Definition of malefaction

as in crime

a breaking of a moral or legal code the town treasurer has been linked to the kickback scheme and other financial malefactions

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of malefaction And the principle remains that representing a malefactor isn’t, ipso facto, an act of malefaction. — Kwame Anthony Appiah, New York Times, 28 Sep. 2022

Recent Examples of Synonyms for malefaction

Noun

Republicans, however, could take advantage of Newsom’s action and cast him as a soft-on-crime liberal who is out of touch with most Americans, which risks turning away moderate voters.

— Taryn Luna, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2026
Eisenberg was sworn in as assistant attorney general in charge of the department's National Security Division in June 2025 and oversaw cases involving espionage, terrorism, export control violations, cyber crimes and other matters.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Nov. 2026

Definition of crime

Noun

The Lakers, playing with Sexton as their primary ballhandler during the stretch, had four turnovers during the drought, including a shot clock violation after a timeout.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 Nov. 2026
The building didn’t just fall into disrepair but was legally condemned by the town of Branford due to fire safety and other code violations.

— Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 8 Nov. 2026

Definition of violation

Noun

The youngster replaced Feyi-Waboso, who was hurt from Angus Bell's hip-drop tackle that earned the prop 10 minutes in the sin-bin, and made an instant impact with a left-wing surge that set up Van Poortvliet’s try.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 Nov. 2026
Some would argue that Paxton’s sins are more exotic than those of your ordinary Texan.

— Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of sin

Browse Nearby Words

maledicts

malefaction

malefactions

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Style

“Malefaction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/malefaction. Accessed 12 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of malefaction

noun

Example Sentences

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