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misfeasance

American  
[mis-fee-zuhns] / mɪsˈfi zəns /

noun

Law.
  1. a wrong, actual or alleged, arising from or consisting of affirmative action.

  2. the wrongful performance of a normally lawful act; the wrongful and injurious exercise of lawful authority.


misfeasance British  
/ mɪsˈfiːzəns /

noun

  1. law the improper performance of an act that is lawful in itself Compare malfeasance nonfeasance

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • misfeasor noun

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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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

In a letter sent to her solicitor, West Yorkshire Police said: "The claims in negligence, misfeasance and conspiracy to injury are, with respect, entirely without merit."

From BBC

This prompted lawyers handling the class action to appeal the original settlement, and demand further compensation due to "misfeasance in public office".

From BBC

Salmond, who died of a heart attack in October 2024 while attending a conference in North Macedonia, was suing the government for misfeasance - a civil law term that means the wrongful exercise of lawful authority.

From BBC

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