malfeasance
mal-FEE-zuhnss
/ˌmælˈfiːzəns/
Wrongdoing or misconduct, especially by a public official or fiduciary.
Implies an intentional, illegal act performed while holding an official position, contrasting with mere incompetence.
The story behind the word. The word was forged in Anglo-French legal terminology during the late Middle Ages. Combining 'mal' (evil or bad) with 'faisance' (the act of doing), it was coined specifically to codify unlawful acts performed under the cover of official authority.
Word relationships
- misconduct: Misconduct is a broader term for improper behavior, while malfeasance explicitly denotes illegal acts by officials.
- corruption: Corruption refers to misuse of trust for private gain, whereas malfeasance includes any illegal official act.
- probity: Probity means complete integrity and honesty in public or private conduct.
- compliance: Compliance means adhering strictly to rules and laws.
Commonly confused with
- misfeasance: Misfeasance is performing a lawful action incorrectly, while malfeasance is performing an intentionally unlawful act.
Word family
- malfeasor (noun): A person who commits malfeasance.
Collocations
- official malfeasance
- corporate malfeasance
- guilty of malfeasance
- allegations of malfeasance
Example sentences
- "The governor was impeached following allegations of corporate bribery and public malfeasance." Public Governance
- "An independent audit discovered severe financial malfeasance by executive officers." Corporate Law
Memory hook
MAL (bad) + FEASANCE (doing) = bad doing by someone in power. Mal = bad, feasibility = doing.
When not to use
Do not use for minor personal mistakes or everyday bad behavior outside official duties.
Fun facts
- Legal systems distinguish malfeasance (doing something illegal) from nonfeasance (failing to act when legally required).
Related words
Explore more words
misconduct, impropriety, malpractice, nefarious, graft, Breach
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