malfeasance
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of malfeasance
First recorded in 1660–70; earlier malefeasance. See male-, feasance
Compare meaning
How does malfeasance compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
Whenever you see the prefix "mal-," you know it's not good. Malfeasance is bad behavior, especially from officials or people who should know better. If nothing else, the mal- in malfeasance will alert you to the fact that something bad is going on. If you know French, fease-, faise- will ring a bell, as it often means "to do." You can probably then infer that malfeasance means "to do bad." Today, it's usually a bad deed done by an official or an organization. You wouldn't accuse a dog who peed on the carpet of malfeasance, but you would accuse a mayor who took a bribe of malfeasance.
Vocabulary lists containing malfeasance
Take the Bad with the Good: Bene and Mal
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Scythe
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The BBC understands Meah was later questioned by police on suspicion of malfeasance in public office but no further action was taken.
From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2026
Congress also decided that the president could only fire the commissioners for “inefficiency, malfeasance, or neglect,” also known as “for cause.”
From Slate ● Jun. 29, 2026
If you did have reason to believe financial malfeasance took place, the burden of proof through the courts would be on your shoulders.
From MarketWatch ● Apr. 25, 2026
Borger’s first mayor, John Miller, was becoming known for his penchant for taking bribes and engaging in electoral malfeasance.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 24, 2026
The charge of malfeasance was a serious one.
From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
