What does malfeasance mean?
Malfeasance means wrongdoing, particularly dishonest or corrupt behavior by someone who holds a position of trust. Its legal sense centers on conduct that breaches an official duty or abuses entrusted authority, as when a public official improperly handles government funds or a corporate officer conceals material information. The word is formal and more specialized than misconduct: while misconduct can describe any inappropriate behavior, malfeasance carries a strong implication of serious, often corrupt wrongdoing. It is especially common in legal, governmental, and investigative contexts, as in phrases such as official malfeasance and criminal malfeasance. The term should generally be reserved for deliberate or seriously improper conduct rather than ordinary mistakes, negligence, or minor policy disagreements. Although related to older expressions of evil and wrongdoing, it now has a strongly institutional and legal character, making it particularly useful when describing betrayal of public trust.
nounMalfeasance is wrongdoing, especially misconduct or breach of duty by someone in a position of trust or public authority. In legal contexts, it more specifically denotes corrupt or dishonest conduct that violates an official obligation.
- Wrongdoing, especially dishonest or corrupt conduct by a person in authority.
"The inquiry found evidence of malfeasance in the handling of public funds."
"The report alleged widespread malfeasance within the department."
"He was removed from office after the audit uncovered serious malfeasance."
Used when referring to separate instances or cases of wrongful or corrupt conduct.
"The investigators documented numerous malfeasances in the agency's administration."
Malfeasance is the legal term for betrayal in public office—and it comes from a Latin idea as old as wrongdoing itself: doing evil.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does malfeasance come from?
Malfeasance entered English from Anglo-French malfaisance, meaning wrongdoing or evil-doing. Its components combine a prefix meaning bad with a word meaning to do, reflecting the Latin root malefacere, “to do evil.” The same root underlies English malefactor and malfeasor, words for an evildoer or wrongdoer.
Related word forms
How malfeasance is actually used
Malfeasance is a formal and especially legal term. In modern usage it is most often applied to misconduct by public officials, corporate officers, or other people entrusted with significant duties; it is less common than the more general word misconduct in everyday speech.
Easily confused with malfeasance
Misfeasance is the improper or negligent performance of a lawful act, whereas malfeasance involves intentional wrongdoing, typically dishonesty or corruption.
Nonfeasance is the failure to act when action is required, while malfeasance is wrongful conduct.