misfeasance

noun

mis·​fea·​sance mis-ˈfē-zᵊn(t)s How to pronounce misfeasance (audio)
: trespass
specifically : the performance of a lawful action in an illegal or improper manner
misfeasor noun

Examples of misfeasance in a Sentence

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.
Last August, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul called for a meticulous reexamination of the oldest missing-teens case in America following a Rolling Stone investigation detailing decades of police incompetence and misfeasance. Eric J. Greenberg, Rolling Stone, 27 July 2024 The news comes after family and friends of Weiser and Bickwit called for the creation of a multiagency task force following decades of police incompetence, misfeasance, and neglect. Eric J. Greenberg, Rolling Stone, 30 Aug. 2023 The committee is made up of five lawmakers who can look into complaints of misconduct, including malfeasance, misfeasance, abuse of office, incompetency and workplace conduct by state officers and employees. Lauren McGaughy, Dallas News, 28 May 2023 The House General Investigating Committee is made up of five lawmakers who can look into complaints of misconduct, malfeasance, misfeasance, abuse of office, incompetency and workplace conduct. Aria Jones, Dallas News, 15 Apr. 2023 See all Example Sentences for misfeasance 

Word History

Etymology

Middle French mesfaisance, from mesfaire to do wrong, from mes- mis- + faire to make, do, from Latin facere — more at do

First Known Use

circa 1626, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of misfeasance was circa 1626

Dictionary Entries Near misfeasance

Cite this Entry

“Misfeasance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/misfeasance. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Legal Definition

misfeasance

noun
mis·​fea·​sance mis-ˈfēz-ᵊns How to pronounce misfeasance (audio)
: the performance of a lawful action in an illegal or improper manner
specifically : the performance of an official duty in an improper or unlawful manner or with an improper or corrupt motive compare malfeasance, nonfeasance
Etymology

Anglo-French misfesance, from Middle French mesfaire to do wrong, from mes- wrongly + faire to make, do, from Latin facere

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