malfeasance

noun

mal·​fea·​sance ˌmal-ˈfē-zᵊn(t)s 

: wrongdoing or misconduct especially by a public official

The investigation has uncovered evidence of corporate malfeasance.

Synonyms

• misconduct
• wrongdoing

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

Jail maintenance worker, Sterling Williams, 33, was charged with being a principal to simple escape and malfeasance in office. —Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 10 June 2025

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill shared in a statement that Sterling Williams, 33, had been arrested and charged with 10 counts of principal to simple escape and malfeasance in office. —Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 24 May 2025

Sterling Williams, 33, is charged with 10 counts of principal to simple escape and one count of malfeasance in office, according to a press release from Murrill's office. —Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 May 2025

The measure expands the crime of malfeasance in office, which is punishable with up to 10 years in jail. —Sara Cline, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

mal- + obsolete feasance doing, execution

First Known Use

1663, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for malfeasance

• defeasance
• misfeasance
• nonfeasance
• treasons

Kids Definition

malfeasance

noun

mal·​fea·​sance (ˈ)mal-ˈfēz-ᵊn(t)s 

: wrongful conduct especially by a public official

Legal Definition

malfeasance

noun

mal·​fea·​sance ˌmal-ˈfēz-ᵊns 

: 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