malfeasance

noun

mal·​fea·​sance ˌmal-ˈfē-zᵊn(t)s How to pronounce malfeasance (audio)
: 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 In 2022, a spokesman for the L.A. County Registrar-Recorder’s office said prosecutors had never shared evidence of any malfeasance. James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 24 Jan. 2024 Further Reading Sam Altman reportedly in talks for potential return as OpenAI CEO On Saturday, OpenAI COO Brad Lightcap sent an internal memo saying that Altman had not been fired due to malfeasance. Benj Edwards, Ars Technica, 20 Nov. 2023 Federal prosecutors in Manhattan unsealed bribery and extortion charges on Tuesday against 70 current and former employees of the New York City Housing Authority, a sweeping accusation of malfeasance in a troubled organization. Corey Kilgannon, New York Times, 6 Feb. 2024 Reznikov, who wasn’t personally implicated in any malfeasance, declined to comment. Isabelle Khurshudyan, Washington Post, 28 Jan. 2024 Add to that gang involvement and the stench of police malfeasance wafting through Knight’s insider connections to the LAPD, and there are dark alleys in all directions. John L. Smith, Rolling Stone, 25 Jan. 2024 The reshuffle comes amid a wider anti-corruption campaign, with Zelensky’s government seeking to eliminate graft and convince foreign donors that their money is not lost to malfeasance. Ellen Nakashima, Washington Post, 4 Sep. 2023 Speculation about malfeasance swirled, but employees, Silicon Valley stalwarts and investors rallied around Altman, and the next day talks were being held to bring him back. Brian Merchant, Los Angeles Times, 20 Nov. 2023 Re-create corporate harassment and malfeasance with these fine items! Vulture, 21 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'malfeasance.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

mal- + obsolete feasance doing, execution

First Known Use

1663, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of malfeasance was in 1663

Dictionary Entries Near malfeasance

Cite this Entry

“Malfeasance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/malfeasance. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

malfeasance

noun
mal·​fea·​sance (ˈ)mal-ˈfēz-ᵊn(t)s How to pronounce malfeasance (audio)
: wrongful conduct especially by a public official

Legal Definition

malfeasance

noun
mal·​fea·​sance ˌmal-ˈfēz-ᵊns How to pronounce malfeasance (audio)
: 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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