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.
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
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
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
In New York he was guilty of a more sinister and tragic misfeasance.
From Abraham Lincoln by Godfrey Rathbone Benson, Baron Charnwood
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