malpractice
noun
mal·prac·tice
ˌmal-ˈprak-təs 
1
: a dereliction of professional duty or a failure to exercise an ordinary degree of professional skill or learning by one (such as a physician) rendering professional services which results in injury, loss, or damage
2
: an injurious, negligent, or improper practice : malfeasance
Examples of malpractice in a Sentence
a surgeon accused of malpractice
Doctors need to have malpractice insurance to protect themselves against lawsuits.
Recent Examples on the Web
Two women have died from obvious and unconscionable medical malpractice.
—
Calum Miller, National Review, 24 Sep. 2024
Hineman’s is one of eight cases of its kind currently being argued by the firm; another, filed in New Hampshire, also relies on the plaintiff’s autism diagnosis to accuse doctors of negligence and malpractice.
—Samantha Riedel, Them, 9 Aug. 2024
To hear Robert White tell it, the steady rise in fat malpractice payouts won’t inspire public trust in the medical system.
—Glen Luke Flanagan, Fortune, 5 July 2024
The lawsuit claims violation of federal due process to refuse treatment or for informed consent, as well as state law violations of negligence, assault, battery, use of excessive force and medical malpractice.
—Tim Evans, The Indianapolis Star, 11 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for malpractice 
Calum Miller, National Review, 24 Sep. 2024
Hineman’s is one of eight cases of its kind currently being argued by the firm; another, filed in New Hampshire, also relies on the plaintiff’s autism diagnosis to accuse doctors of negligence and malpractice.
—Samantha Riedel, Them, 9 Aug. 2024
To hear Robert White tell it, the steady rise in fat malpractice payouts won’t inspire public trust in the medical system.
—Glen Luke Flanagan, Fortune, 5 July 2024
The lawsuit claims violation of federal due process to refuse treatment or for informed consent, as well as state law violations of negligence, assault, battery, use of excessive force and medical malpractice.
—Tim Evans, The Indianapolis Star, 11 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for malpractice
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'malpractice.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near malpractice
Cite this Entry
“Malpractice.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/malpractice. Accessed 1 Oct. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
malpractice
noun
mal·prac·tice
(ˈ)mal-ˈprak-təs
: violation of professional standards especially by carelessness or improper conduct
Medical Definition
malpractice
1 of 2 noun
mal·prac·tice
(ˈ)mal-ˈprak-təs
: a dereliction of professional duty or a failure to exercise an accepted degree of professional skill or learning by a physician rendering professional services which results in injury, loss, or damage
malpractice
2 of 2 intransitive verb
malpracticed; malpracticing
: to engage in or commit malpractice
Legal Definition
malpractice
noun
mal·prac·tice
ˌmal-ˈprak-təs
: negligence, misconduct, lack of ordinary skill, or a breach of duty in the performance of a professional service (as in medicine) resulting in injury or loss
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