misfeasance
Americannoun
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a wrong, actual or alleged, arising from or consisting of affirmative action.
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the wrongful performance of a normally lawful act; the wrongful and injurious exercise of lawful authority.
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of misfeasance
From the Anglo-French word mesfesance, dating back to 1590–1600. See mis- 1, feasance
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Explanation
Misfeasance happens when someone in authority uses her position to do something wrong. If a town's mayor uses his influence to get jobs for his family members, that's misfeasance. One way to define misfeasance is "the wrongful exercise of lawful authority." In other words, the power or authority is legal and fair, but the way it's being used is harmful. If a judge, sheriff, city councilor, or other public official acts in a way they know will cause harm, it's considered misfeasance. This legal term comes from an Old French word, mesfaire, "to misdo," which combines the roots mes-, "wrongly," and faire, "to do."
Vocabulary lists containing misfeasance
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.
Salmond was suing the government for misfeasance - a civil law term that means the wrongful exercise of lawful authority - when he died in October 2024 while attending a conference in North Macedonia.
From BBC ● Feb. 13, 2026
She is also claiming misfeasance in public office against S4C's former chair Rhodri Williams.
From BBC ● Sep. 18, 2025
The former first minster has sued the government for misfeasance – a civil law term that means the wrongful exercise of lawful authority.
From BBC ● Oct. 14, 2024
Mr More sued the Metropolitan Police for compensation for misfeasance in public office and for false imprisonment.
From BBC ● Apr. 29, 2024
The Christian Church has lived long enough in external triumph and prosperity to expose those of whom it is composed to all such perils of error and misfeasance, as triumph and prosperity bring with them.
From The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. 6 (of 12) Dresden Edition?Discussions by Robert Green Ingersoll
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