as in negligence
the nonperformance of an assigned or expected action
you can sue for nonfeasance if the company doesn't fulfill the contract
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Recent Examples of nonfeasance
The governor may be impeached for malfeasance or nonfeasance in the performance of official duties.
—
Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 4 Mar. 2026
In ruling on nonfeasance, the courts would have to weigh whether lawmakers have repeatedly failed to do their official duties, said Jason Marisam, an associate professor at Mitchell Hamline School of Law in St. Paul and former Minnesota assistant attorney general.
—Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 4 Feb. 2025
Finally, Fauci’s role in this miasma remains unclear — in part because of his obfuscation and in part the nonfeasance of scientific journalists who for years haven’t aggressively pursued COVID-19’s origin story.
—Cory Franklin, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2025
The response says Paul was suspended for gross misconduct, neglect of duty, nonfeasance and failure of good behavior.
—Cameron Knight, The Enquirer, 2 July 2024
In practice, our too-complex system degrades just about every public responsibility into nonfeasance.
—Daniel Henninger, WSJ, 1 June 2022
The institution is one of the largest banks in the U.S. and an ongoing source of some difficult to differentiate apparent combination of misfeasance, nonfeasance, and malfeasance.
—Erik Sherman, Forbes, 28 Sep. 2021
However, Albertson ruled that misfeasance and nonfeasance are not listed as crimes under Virginia’s state code, according to attorneys for the defendants.
—Antonio Olivo, Washington Post, 29 Oct. 2019
Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 4 Mar. 2026
In ruling on nonfeasance, the courts would have to weigh whether lawmakers have repeatedly failed to do their official duties, said Jason Marisam, an associate professor at Mitchell Hamline School of Law in St. Paul and former Minnesota assistant attorney general.
—Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 4 Feb. 2025
Finally, Fauci’s role in this miasma remains unclear — in part because of his obfuscation and in part the nonfeasance of scientific journalists who for years haven’t aggressively pursued COVID-19’s origin story.
—Cory Franklin, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2025
The response says Paul was suspended for gross misconduct, neglect of duty, nonfeasance and failure of good behavior.
—Cameron Knight, The Enquirer, 2 July 2024
In practice, our too-complex system degrades just about every public responsibility into nonfeasance.
—Daniel Henninger, WSJ, 1 June 2022
The institution is one of the largest banks in the U.S. and an ongoing source of some difficult to differentiate apparent combination of misfeasance, nonfeasance, and malfeasance.
—Erik Sherman, Forbes, 28 Sep. 2021
However, Albertson ruled that misfeasance and nonfeasance are not listed as crimes under Virginia’s state code, according to attorneys for the defendants.
—Antonio Olivo, Washington Post, 29 Oct. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nonfeasance
Noun
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The motion does not address the core negligence and wrongful death claims stemming from the crash itself but seeks to dismiss claims related to emergency dispatch and allegations Riverside County officials failed to protect the victims after the collision.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
22 June 2026
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Charges have since been dismissed against three, including Nores — all of whom were accused of negligence.—
Jami Ganz,
New York Daily News,
22 June 2026
Noun
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Even if the weather is perfect, summer is a busy season that can sometimes cause the garden to experience neglect.—
Samantha Johnson,
Martha Stewart,
21 June 2026
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Supporters portray the Business Improvement District as a fix for years of neglect and crime, while opponents fear gentrification, over-policing and businesses gaining control over public space.—
Alejandra Molina,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nonfeasance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nonfeasance. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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