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
Claims for negligence and misfeasance in public office were advanced as part of wider actions against the PSNI, Home Office and Department of Health.
From BBC ● Jun. 16, 2025
Mr More sued the Metropolitan Police for compensation for misfeasance in public office and for false imprisonment.
From BBC ● Apr. 29, 2024
Ms Edmunds, through Bhatt Murphy Solicitors, also sued the force for assault, misfeasance in public office and malicious prosecutions following the Clapham Common vigil.
From BBC ● Mar. 14, 2024
It would appear that concealment without fraud, on the part of the customer, will relieve the carrier from his liability for negligence, but not for actual misfeasance.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 4 "Carnegie Andrew" to "Casus Belli" by Various
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.
