malefaction

Definitions

male- (badly, evil, from Latin male) + fac (facere 'do') + -tion: literally a 'bad-doing' — an evil deed. The doer is a malefactor, the opposite of a benefactor.

Example Sentences

• 1.

  He was punished for his many malefactions.

• 2.

  The report listed the company's financial malefactions.

Easily Confused

malefaction vs benefaction: same fac ('do') root, opposite prefixes — male- (evil) gives an evil deed, bene- (good) gives a good deed/gift. Pair them to remember both.