noun
malfeasance
mal-FEE-zuhns
Malfeasance (noun) means Wrongdoing, especially illegal or unethical conduct by someone in a position of trust or authority. Example: “The audit uncovered years of financial malfeasance by senior executives.”
noun
1
Wrongdoing, especially illegal or unethical conduct by someone in a position of trust or authority.
"The audit uncovered years of financial malfeasance by senior executives."
How to use malfeasance
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishWrongdoing by an official or someone with power, usually involving abuse of their position.
When to use it
Formal, mostly legal or journalistic — you won't hear it in casual conversation.
Common pairings
official malfeasance
corporate malfeasance
allegations of malfeasance
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Word forms
- Plural
- malfeasances
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The audit uncovered years of financial _____ by senior executives.
Etymology
From Old French malfaisance, "doing evil," from male ("badly") and faire ("to do").
Rhymes for malfeasance
See all rhymes for malfeasance →Frequently asked questions
What does “malfeasance” mean?
The word “malfeasance” means wrongdoing, especially illegal or unethical conduct by someone in a position of trust or authority. In plain terms, wrongdoing by an official or someone with power, usually involving abuse of their position.
How do you pronounce “malfeasance”?
“Malfeasance” is pronounced mal-FEE-zuhns (/ˌmælˈfiːzəns/ in IPA).
How do you use “malfeasance” in a sentence?
Here is “malfeasance” used in a sentence: “The audit uncovered years of financial malfeasance by senior executives.”
What part of speech is “malfeasance”?
“Malfeasance” is a noun.
Where does the word “malfeasance” come from?
The word “malfeasance” comes from Old French. From Old French malfaisance, "doing evil," from male ("badly") and faire ("to do").
