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When something is aberrant, it is unusual, not socially acceptable, or a departure from the norm.
When you absolve someone, you publicly and formally say that they are not guilty or responsible for any wrongdoing.
When you arraign someone, you make them come to court and answer criminal charges made against them.
If you describe a person’s behavior as brazen, you mean that they are not embarrassed by anything they do—they simply don’t care what other people think about them.
Decorous appearance or behavior is respectable, polite, and appropriate for a given occasion.
If you demur, you delay in doing or mildly object to something because you don’t really want to do it.
If you describe someone, usually a young woman, as demure, you mean that she is quiet, shy, and always behaves modestly.
Something, such as a building, is derelict if it is empty, not used, and in bad condition or disrepair.
If you refer to the enormity of a situation, problem, or event, you mean that it is very evil or morally offensive; this word has nothing to do with physical size.
Anything or anyone errant behaves in a way that is unacceptable or wrong; for example, an errant missile travels in the wrong direction, while an errant student does not follow classroom rules.
Something that is inconspicuous does not attract attention and is not easily seen or noticed because it is small or ordinary.
Someone who is indiscreet shows lack of judgment, especially because they say or do things in public that should only be said or done privately—if at all.
Iniquity is an immoral act, wickedness, or evil.
Someone is overweening when they are not modest; rather, they think way too much of themselves and let everyone know about it.
A peccadillo is a slight or minor offense that can be overlooked.
If you perpetrate something, you commit a crime or do some other bad thing for which you are responsible.
To be politic in a decision is to be socially wise and diplomatic.
Probity is very moral and honest behavior.
Propriety is behaving in a socially acceptable and appropriate way.
If you commit a solecism, you make an error of some kind, such as one of a grammatical or social nature.
Something that is statutory is created and controlled by rules and laws; hence, it is legally punishable if violated.
If someone transgresses something, he violates a boundary or limit, such as rules of social behavior or moral principles.
If you say someone’s behavior is unseemly, you disapprove of it because it is not in good taste or not suitable for a particular situation.
Something that is unsullied is unstained and clean.
Noun
malfeasance
mal-FEE-zuhns
Context
The dean of the public university was placed on paid leave in response to some mysterious, illegal act or malfeasance. No one is sure exactly what happened, but it is assumed that he’s guilty of some sort of misconduct or malfeasance. Once the dean is brought to trial for his malfeasance we may learn about his wrongdoing, but we’ll have to wait until that point.
Quiz:Try again!
Who is likely to engage in malfeasance?
A child who is extremely upset at a parent about a punishment.
An elected official who doesn’t care about obeying the law.
A writer who does not check the source of some information.
Maul Not a Pleasant Force Would you consider the chief librarian taking a maul and using unpleasant force to break all the library's windows an act of malfeasance?
Examples
Then along came Parmalat, as if to remind everyone that the dragons of corporate malfeasance and fraud had only nodded off, not left.
—
The Economist
WorldCom, Tyco, Arthur Andersen, Enron, HealthSouth and Adelphia instantly became cultural emblems of malfeasance as prosecutors accused company leaders of scheming to enrich themselves at the injury of others.
—
USA Today
A lot of corporate and governmental malfeasance has been committed by people who claim to be religious, but to me, talk is cheap and actions speak louder than words.
—
Cooking Light
The Nassau County Association, through its counsel, this afternoon filed formal charges of malfeasance in office against Sheriff Phineas A. Seaman and asked Governor Smith to remove him from office.
—
The New York Times
An act of malfeasance is the “state or condition of the doing of something bad.”
Word Theater
The Office Someone is caught in an act of pretty minor business malfeasance.
The panel shows a small video clip of either the word in actual use or a scene that represents the meaning of a word. This not only breaks up the monotony of studying words but also provides another avenue to strengthen word meaning. Enjoy!
