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
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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
An initial hearing into the "misfeasance" action was heard at the Court of Session in November to lay the groundwork for a future case, which is yet to begin.
From BBC ● Oct. 14, 2024
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
Last month, Mr Salmond launched a fresh legal case alleging misfeasance - the wrongful exercise of lawful authority - by civil servants involved in handling harassment complaints against him.
From BBC ● Dec. 6, 2023
Under no circumstances could I feel justified in taking advantage of the admissions that you have made as to the "errors" the "misfeasance" the "infirmities and the perversity" of the Christian Church.
From The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. 6 (of 12) Dresden Edition?Discussions by Robert Green Ingersoll
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