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
Compare meaning
How does misfeasance compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
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.
Ms Griffin-Williams is making claims against S4C and former chairman Rhodri Williams for misfeasance in public office or wrongdoing by a public official, and data breaches.
From BBC ● Dec. 19, 2025
She is also claiming misfeasance in public office against S4C's former chair Rhodri Williams.
From BBC ● Sep. 18, 2025
This prompted lawyers handling the class action to appeal the original settlement, and demand further compensation due to "misfeasance in public office".
From BBC ● Sep. 4, 2025
Now, he says he is suing for misfeasance - which means the wrongful exercise of lawful authority.
From BBC ● Nov. 24, 2023
One of the causes alleged for its failure was the misfeasance of some of those who were entrusted with the funds of the Bank.
From Life of Heber C. Kimball, an Apostle The Father and Founder of the British Mission by Orson F. Whitney
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.
