Words / C2

mal-FEEZNS/mælˈfiːzns/

Malfeasance is wrongdoing, especially by a public official (formal / legal): official malfeasance, an act of malfeasance. Crime (already in the dictionary) is everyday illegality; corruption (already in the dictionary) is dishonesty in power, often bribes, and fraud (already in the dictionary) is deception for gain. Malpractice (already in the dictionary) is careless or dishonest practice by a professional — the close twin of a named duty-breach. A logo row is not a finding.

Meaning

Wrongdoing, especially by a public official (formal / legal).

Examples

• “Malfeasance is a named breach, not a disagreement about the logo.”
• “Crime is everyday illegality (already in A2). Corruption is dishonesty in power (already in B2). Fraud is deception for gain (already in B1). Malpractice is professional negligence or abuse of a role (already in C1). A dated clause can still be short. A crest that never names the breach is decoration. Write the finding; leave the brand film.”

Good to know

Official wrongdoing (formal). Everyday: crime (already in this dictionary). Close: corruption (already in B2); fraud (already in B1); malpractice (already in C1). A logo ≠ a breach.

Near in meaning

wrongdoing, misconduct, corruption, malpractice

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