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
Throughout, emotion churns and chafes against a backdrop of political unrest, corporate malfeasance, and the everyday horrors that erode modern life.
—
Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 13 Feb. 2026
Weaver’s time in the district was challenging, marked by recovery from financial mismanagement and malfeasance that occurred under his predecessor, David Harris.
—Silas Allen, Dallas Morning News, 11 Feb. 2026
To do otherwise would have been malpractice and malfeasance.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2026
To guard against runners and other forms of malfeasance, Manteris maintained a cutting-edge surveillance system.
—Dan Piepenbring, New Yorker, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for malfeasance
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Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 13 Feb. 2026
Weaver’s time in the district was challenging, marked by recovery from financial mismanagement and malfeasance that occurred under his predecessor, David Harris.
—Silas Allen, Dallas Morning News, 11 Feb. 2026
To do otherwise would have been malpractice and malfeasance.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2026
To guard against runners and other forms of malfeasance, Manteris maintained a cutting-edge surveillance system.
—Dan Piepenbring, New Yorker, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for malfeasance
Cite this Entry
“Malfeasance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/malfeasance. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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
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