misfeasance

American  

[mis-fee-zuhns] / mɪsˈfi zəns /

noun

Law.

1. a wrong, actual or alleged, arising from or consisting of affirmative action.

2. the wrongful performance of a normally lawful act; the wrongful and injurious exercise of lawful authority.

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misfeasance British  

/ mɪsˈfiːzəns /

noun

1. law the improper performance of an act that is lawful in itself Compare malfeasance nonfeasance

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Other Word Forms

• misfeasor noun

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:

• malfeasance vs. misfeasance

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."

Example Sentences

In a letter sent to her solicitor, West Yorkshire Police said: "The claims in negligence, misfeasance and conspiracy to injury are, with respect, entirely without merit."

From BBC • Jan. 20, 2026

She is also claiming misfeasance in public office against S4C's former chair Rhodri Williams.

From BBC • Sep. 18, 2025

Mr Heenan's widow Mary took legal action against the MoD and Sir Frank, claiming her husband died because of negligence and misfeasance in office.

From BBC • Jan. 4, 2024

Mr Salmond, who is now leader of the Alba party, is understood to have lodged a Court of Session petition alleging "misfeasance" by civil servants.

From BBC • Nov. 24, 2023

The city government was in the hands of Tammany; but I had power to remove the Mayor, the Sheriff, and the District Attorney for malfeasance or misfeasance in office.

From Theodore Roosevelt; an Autobiography by Roosevelt, Theodore