Malfeasance: meaning, definitions and examples

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malfeasance

 

[ mælˈfiːzəns ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

legal term

Wrongdoing, especially by a public official. The performance of an act that is legally unjustified, harmful, or contrary to law.

Synonyms

corruption, misconduct, wrongdoing.

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Word Description / Examples
malfeasance

Use this word when referring to illegal or dishonest activities, especially by a public official or someone in a position of authority.

  • The mayor was charged with malfeasance after the investigation revealed financial misconduct.
  • Corporate malfeasance can lead to severe penalties and loss of public trust.
misconduct

This term is used for inappropriate or unacceptable behavior, especially in a professional setting. It can be less severe than 'malfeasance' or 'corruption'.

  • The employee was fired for professional misconduct.
  • Misconduct in the workplace can damage the company's reputation.
corruption

This word is suitable when talking about the misuse of power or position for personal gain, often involving bribery or fraud. It has a strong negative connotation.

  • The investigation uncovered widespread corruption within the government.
  • Efforts to combat corruption have been intensified in recent years.
wrongdoing

This is a broad term that can refer to any morally or legally wrong behavior. It is less specific than the other terms and can be used in various contexts.

  • She was deeply troubled by her friend's wrongdoing.
  • The company was held accountable for its wrongdoing.

Examples of usage

  • His malfeasance as a government official led to his impeachment.
  • The investigation uncovered evidence of financial malfeasance within the company.

Translations

Translations of the word "malfeasance" in other languages:

🇵🇹 má conduta

🇮🇳 दुराचार

🇩🇪 Fehlverhalten

🇮🇩 penyalahgunaan wewenang

🇺🇦 зловживання службовим становищем

🇵🇱 nadużycie

🇯🇵 不正行為

🇫🇷 malversation

🇪🇸 malversación

🇹🇷 yolsuzluk

🇰🇷 직권 남용

🇸🇦 سوء التصرف

🇨🇿 přečin

🇸🇰 zneužitie právomoci

🇨🇳 渎职

🇸🇮 zloraba

🇮🇸 misbeiting

🇰🇿 қызмет бабын теріс пайдалану

🇬🇪 სამსახურებრივი უფლებამოსილების ბოროტად გამოყენება

🇦🇿 vəzifə səlahiyyətlərindən sui-istifadə

🇲🇽 malversación

Etymology

The word 'malfeasance' comes from the French 'mal' (bad) and 'faire' (to do), directly translating to 'bad doing'. It has been used in English since the 17th century to refer to wrongful or illegal actions, especially in the context of public officials or corporate misconduct.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #25,282, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.