malfeasance
20
9.6
- noun
- /mælˈfiːzəns/
- Formal
:
conducta ilícita
- Public outcry grew when evidence of malfeasance in the administration came to light during the audit.
- electoral malfeasance
- executive malfeasance
- corporate malfeasance
The amount of malfeasance just an FTX is just absolute bananas.
- The amount of malfeasance just an FTX is just absolute bananas.
- Oh, I got, I got asked to give a report about some malfeasance that some of my colleagues are engaged in.
- What I don't like are lies to cover and obfuscate truth or embarrassment or malfeasance, right?
- If you move from there, you can move to the MacPherson report after the Stephen Lawrence issues and the malfeasance in the Met.
- We're redefining sexual relations in such a way that, again, you know, all the problems are are seen as a result of male malfeasance.
Examples
-
The investigation revealed widespread malfeasance among public officials, prompting demands for reform.
-
All right, my client has no knowledge of any malfeasance on the part of that officer.
-
In light of your continued malfeasance, we have no choice.
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Gentlemen, this malfeasance will not stand.
-
Nor can there be any real gain from such malfeasance, only loss.
Fiction book (1998) -
I suppose it will be quite impossible for all malfeasance to be eliminated from this area of life.
Academic text (1997) -
Misuse or malfeasance in regard to this document is a federal crime.
-
One of the most corrosive and pervasive forms of malfeasance is the selling of official posts.
Academic text (2006) -
The subpoenaed witnesses will be ordered to appear before two grand juries probing malfeasance and bribery.
-
Then he spoke directly to Hussein, sternly dismissing the defendant's accusation of judicial malfeasance.
Academic text (2009)
Synonyms
355
4.8
Dishonest or illegal actions by people in power, like taking bribes
131
4.6
Wrong behavior by someone in a trusted job
1
9.9
Doing a legal duty badly or wrongly, often by a public official
1
7.0
Actions that break the law or are unfair
Dishonest behavior by a public official, especially using public money wrongly
Antonyms
How Wrongful
Surface Forms
Morphology
malfeasance = feasance (semi-transparent) = mal + feasance
The structure 'mal-' (bad) + 'feasance' (doing) yields 'bad doing', but 'feasance' is a rare/legal term, so learners may not readily infer the meaning.
Etymology
Malfeasance breaks into mal- 'bad' and feasance 'doing'. So it literally means 'bad doing', which is why the word is used for illegal or wrong actions by public officials.