malfeasance

noun

mal·​fea·​sance ˌmal-ˈfē-zᵊn(t)s How to pronounce malfeasance (audio)
Synonyms of malfeasance
: wrongdoing or misconduct especially by a public official
The investigation has uncovered evidence of corporate malfeasance.

Examples of malfeasance in a Sentence

The investigation has uncovered evidence of corporate malfeasance. a campaign to impeach the governor for malfeasance in office
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Hutson was indicted on 14 counts of malfeasance in office and four counts of conspiracy to commit malfeasance in office. Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 30 Apr. 2026 Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson faces a 30-count grand jury indictment, charging her with malfeasance, obstruction of justice and falsifying public records. CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026 Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson has been charged with malfeasance, obstruction of justice and falsifying public records, and a state probe found that her poor management of the Orleans Justice Center led to the escape on May 16. Alexx Altman-Devilbiss, Baltimore Sun, 30 Apr. 2026 Yes, Dwyane Wade was the lynchpin to Riley’s championship reset of the Heat, arriving in a year when not playing for the lottery would have been malfeasance, considering the presence in that 2003 lottery of Wade, LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Bosh. Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 30 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for malfeasance

Word History

Etymology

mal- + obsolete feasance doing, execution

First Known Use

1663, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of malfeasance was in 1663

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Malfeasance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/malfeasance. Accessed 6 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

malfeasance

noun
mal·​fea·​sance (ˈ)mal-ˈfēz-ᵊn(t)s How to pronounce malfeasance (audio)
: wrongful conduct especially by a public official

Legal Definition

malfeasance

noun
mal·​fea·​sance ˌmal-ˈfēz-ᵊns How to pronounce malfeasance (audio)
: the commission (as by a public official) of a wrongful or unlawful act involving or affecting the performance of one's duties compare misfeasance, nonfeasance
Etymology

mal- bad + obsolete English feasance doing, execution, from Old French faisance, from fais-, stem of faire to make, do, from Latin facere

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