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.
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
Dellinger sued, arguing that 1978 federal law creating his position states he can only be removed from his job because of inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance.
—
Sarah D. Wire, USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 2025
The most recent examples of possible utility malfeasance were January’s Eaton fire, which decimated much of Altadena in eastern Los Angeles County, and the less damaging Hurst fire near the Sylmar district of Los Angeles.
—Thomas Elias, The Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2025
The public deserves a simple, clear process that can bring to light such evidence as there may be of the mayor’s malfeasance and his fate ought to be decided thereon.
—Christian Browne, New York Daily News, 23 Feb. 2025
But in subsequent lawsuits challenging their removal, some of the officials have alleged that Mr. Trump violated federal laws passed by Congress that created the agencies and limited the president to removing their members only for cause — in cases of neglect of duty or malfeasance.
—Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 17 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for malfeasance
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.
Sarah D. Wire, USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 2025
The most recent examples of possible utility malfeasance were January’s Eaton fire, which decimated much of Altadena in eastern Los Angeles County, and the less damaging Hurst fire near the Sylmar district of Los Angeles.
—Thomas Elias, The Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2025
The public deserves a simple, clear process that can bring to light such evidence as there may be of the mayor’s malfeasance and his fate ought to be decided thereon.
—Christian Browne, New York Daily News, 23 Feb. 2025
But in subsequent lawsuits challenging their removal, some of the officials have alleged that Mr. Trump violated federal laws passed by Congress that created the agencies and limited the president to removing their members only for cause — in cases of neglect of duty or malfeasance.
—Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 17 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for malfeasance
Articles Related to malfeasance
Cite this Entry
“Malfeasance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/malfeasance. Accessed 10 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share