misfeasor: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowFormal, Technical (Legal/Business)
Quick answer
What does “misfeasor” mean?
A person who performs a lawful action in a wrongful, improper, or harmful manner.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who performs a lawful action in a wrongful, improper, or harmful manner.
Specifically in law and business, a party who commits misfeasance—the improper performance of a legal act that causes injury or damage, distinct from nonfeasance (not acting) or malfeasance (an illegal act).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Used almost exclusively in legal contexts in both varieties.
Connotations
Technical, legalistic; carries a precise, formal connotation of wrongful execution rather than outright illegality.
Frequency
Extremely rare in general discourse; slightly more likely in British legal writing due to historical common law tradition, but equally niche in American legal terminology.
Grammar
How to Use “misfeasor” in a Sentence
The [misfeasor] was held liable for damages.To identify the [misfeasor] in the breach of duty.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “misfeasor” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The contractor was found to have misfeasanced in his duties.
- To misfease is to perform a lawful act improperly.
American English
- The director misfeased by approving the transaction without due diligence.
- The statute addresses those who misfease in a public office.
adverb
British English
- (Extremely rare; 'misfeasingly' is not standard) The agent acted misfeasingly. (Hypothetical)
American English
- (Extremely rare; 'misfeasingly' is not standard) He executed the plan misfeasingly. (Hypothetical)
adjective
British English
- (Very rare; 'misfeasant' is the adjectival form) The misfeasant trustee was removed.
- The report detailed the misfeasant actions of the board.
American English
- The court examined the misfeasant conduct of the administrator.
- Liability was based on misfeasant performance of the contract.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used outside of formal reports on corporate governance failure or directors' liability.
Academic
Used in law journals and textbooks discussing torts, fiduciary duty, and professional negligence.
Everyday
Virtually never used; 'someone who messed up' or 'the responsible party' would be used instead.
Technical
Core term in legal proceedings and insurance claims to specify the nature of the fault.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “misfeasor”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “misfeasor”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “misfeasor”
- Confusing 'misfeasor' with 'malfeasor'. Using it in everyday contexts where simpler terms like 'the person at fault' are appropriate.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A misfeasor performs a lawful action incorrectly or improperly, causing harm. A malfeasor commits an act that is intrinsically illegal or wrongful.
No, it is a very low-frequency, technical term used almost exclusively in formal legal and business contexts.
The related verb is 'misfease', but it is extremely rare. The noun 'misfeasor' and the noun 'misfeasance' are the standard forms.
In a strict legal sense, a 'nonfeasor' (one who fails to perform a required act) is a related opposite. More generally, an 'innocent party' or someone who performs their duty properly.
A person who performs a lawful action in a wrongful, improper, or harmful manner.
Misfeasor is usually formal, technical (legal/business) in register.
Misfeasor: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmɪsˈfiːzə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmɪsˈfiːzər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(no common idioms)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: MIS-FEAS-OR. 'Mis' (wrongly) + 'feas' (from 'feasance', meaning performance of a duty) + 'or' (person who does). A person who performs a duty WRONGLY.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE FLAWED CRAFTSMAN: A misfeasor is like a builder who uses the right materials (lawful act) but builds the wall so poorly (wrongful manner) that it collapses and causes harm.
Practice
Quiz
In legal terminology, a 'misfeasor' is best described as someone who: