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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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

Xuan’s attorney, Mitchell Krems, previously noted his client had never been convicted of a crime.

— James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
The frontrunner is Marine Le Pen, who has worked for years to make her far-right party, the National Rally, more electable while campaigning on immigration, crime, and denunciation of an out-of-touch political class.

— Nicholas Bequelin, Time, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of crime

Noun

And unlike state authorities who can be sued for civil rights violations in state courts, federal law enforcement authorities are generally shielded from such lawsuits based on legal precedents.

— Philip Wang, Time, 19 Oct. 2026
Chicago should provide workable loading zones, preserve first-offense warnings, and publicly report whether violations and crashes actually decline.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of violation

Noun

Catholic teaching still calls suicide a grave sin, but recognizes mental illness can diminish responsibility; advocates want mental health ministries in parishes worldwide.

— Luis Andres Henao, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
If the sin of Mars’ album was being too predictable, Styles’ bold and unexpected Kiss All the Time.

— Alan Light, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of sin

Browse Nearby Words

maledicts

malefaction

malefactions

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“Malefaction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/malefaction. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of malefaction

noun

Example Sentences

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