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.

Synonyms of malfeasance

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Examples of malfeasance in a Sentence

The investigation has uncovered evidence of corporate malfeasance. a campaign to impeach the governor for malfeasance in office
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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.
The rift between these tribes was on full display last month as the main opponent of the constitutional question claimed election malfeasance by proponents of A-83. — Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 15 Oct. 2026 Earlier this year, a grand jury handed down a 30-count indictment against then-Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson, for malfeasance, obstruction of justice and falsifying public records. — ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026 There was a great deal of anger—about government malfeasance, a widening wealth gap, and an impossibly tight labor market—especially among young Koreans like Oh. — E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026 With many in the party pushing for investigations of potential malfeasance by the administration, party leaders will face tough choices about consequences if those probes do turn up wrongdoing. — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 9 Oct. 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

Rhymes for malfeasance

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Browse Nearby Words

malevolous
malfeasance
malfeasant
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Cite this Entry

“Malfeasance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/malfeasance. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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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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