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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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
A pitch-framing specialist with rare agility behind the plate, Wolters must coax pitchers through Coors Field and its occasional malefactions.
—Orange County Register, 1 Apr. 2017
Kwame Anthony Appiah, New York Times, 28 Sep. 2022
A pitch-framing specialist with rare agility behind the plate, Wolters must coax pitchers through Coors Field and its occasional malefactions.
—Orange County Register, 1 Apr. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for malefaction
Noun
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The Statesman reported last December that Boise police provided extra security to Mayor Lauren McLean after Fitzpatrick offered a minimum $10,000 reward for information that could lead to her arrest and conviction — for unidentified crimes.—
Noah Daly,
Idaho Statesman,
11 June 2026
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Yet, a year later, only one woman has been charged with the crimes federal immigration authorities said drew them to the meatpacking plant in the first place.—
Nicole Acevedo,
NBC news,
11 June 2026
Noun
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The establishment later corrected the violation, according to a follow-up inspection.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 June 2026
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The bill specifically authorizes financial damages, because under current law, plaintiffs can only obtain injunctions that prevent future or ongoing violations, the summary said.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
11 June 2026
Noun
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Carolina will need Moehrig to atone for his San Francisco sin by smashing (legally) the Saints (3-10) on the road.—
Mike Kaye
December 10,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Dec. 2025
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It may be considered a sin to eat at The Dock without trying the fish tacos, which are served blackened, grilled, or fried—they're then topped with pico de gallo, red cabbage, cotija cheese, baja sauce, and esquites (Mexican street corn).—
Megan Margulies,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Malefaction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/malefaction. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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