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
- misbehavior
- misconduct
- misdoing
- wrongdoing
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
The investigation has uncovered evidence of corporate malfeasance. a campaign to impeach the governor for malfeasance in office
Recent Examples on the Web Under that law, a president can remove a commissioner for malfeasance or neglect of duty, not because a new administration has come to power. 
Sabrina Eaton, cleveland, 19 Feb. 2021 His complaint is 84 pages of strident arguments that Twitter’s substandard practices are linked to intentional malfeasance. Steven Levy, WIRED, 26 Aug. 2022 There's limited public evidence about the judge's political leanings, despite the rash of accusations of partisan malfeasance. Arden Farhi, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2022 In recent years, a string of whistleblowers have exposed corporate malfeasance that had otherwise fallen under the radar. Max Voldman, Fortune, 22 July 2022 The league gives teams leeway to run themselves, generally getting involved only when there are rules violations, malfeasance or other activity that could damage the brand. Jeff Barker, Baltimore Sun, 5 July 2022 That included his numerous baseless statements and lawsuits alleging widespread voter fraud and/or malfeasance that led to his defeat in the 2020 U.S. presidential election. Todd Spangler, Variety, 27 May 2022 But in the space created by their silence, at a time when people are primed to embrace any suggestion of government malfeasance, the treasure hunters’ version of events is the one that has been heard. Chris Heath, The Atlantic, 17 June 2022 Its elections long have been flagged for malfeasance and misadministration. Time, 10 July 2021 See More
Sabrina Eaton, cleveland, 19 Feb. 2021 His complaint is 84 pages of strident arguments that Twitter’s substandard practices are linked to intentional malfeasance. Steven Levy, WIRED, 26 Aug. 2022 There's limited public evidence about the judge's political leanings, despite the rash of accusations of partisan malfeasance. Arden Farhi, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2022 In recent years, a string of whistleblowers have exposed corporate malfeasance that had otherwise fallen under the radar. Max Voldman, Fortune, 22 July 2022 The league gives teams leeway to run themselves, generally getting involved only when there are rules violations, malfeasance or other activity that could damage the brand. Jeff Barker, Baltimore Sun, 5 July 2022 That included his numerous baseless statements and lawsuits alleging widespread voter fraud and/or malfeasance that led to his defeat in the 2020 U.S. presidential election. Todd Spangler, Variety, 27 May 2022 But in the space created by their silence, at a time when people are primed to embrace any suggestion of government malfeasance, the treasure hunters’ version of events is the one that has been heard. Chris Heath, The Atlantic, 17 June 2022 Its elections long have been flagged for malfeasance and misadministration. Time, 10 July 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
mal- + obsolete feasance doing, execution
First Known Use
1663, in the meaning defined above
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
malfeasance
noun
as in misconduct
improper or illegal behavior a campaign to impeach the governor for malfeasance in office Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- misconduct
- wrongdoing
- misbehavior
- crime
- misdoing
- trespass
- mistake
- misdeed
- error
- malpractice
- misdemeanor
- transgression
- wrong
- sin
- malefaction
- indiscretion
- blunder
- impropriety
- hanky-panky
- miscue
- goings-on
- gaffe
- flub
- misstep
- stumble
- fumble
- slip
- slipup
- goof
- familiarity
- lapse
- fault