Definition

Noun: A failure to act or perform a required duty or obligation, especially a legal one, when one has a responsibility to do so. It refers to the omission of an act that a person is legally bound or obligated to perform.

Usage and Examples

Noun: * The company was sued for nonfeasance after its security guard watched the robbery occur without calling the police. * The inspector's nonfeasance in checking the building's electrical wiring led to a tragic fire. * A government official can be charged with nonfeasance for willfully neglecting to enforce a public safety law.

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• Legal Context: is a specific legal term often contrasted with (performing a legal act in a wrongful or negligent manner) and (performing an illegal or wrongful act). is purely about inaction where action was required.
• Distinction from Negligence: While can be a form of negligence, it specifically implies a duty to act existed. General negligence can involve either action or inaction.

Variants and Related Words

• Feasance (n, rare): The performance of an obligation or duty. (e.g., The timely of the contract terms was required.)
• Misfeasance (n): The improper or negligent performance of a lawful act.
• Malfeasance (n): The commission of an act that is unequivocally illegal or wrongful.

Synonyms

• Dereliction: Willful neglect of a duty.
• Omission: The act of leaving something out or failing to do something.
• Neglect: The state of failing to care for or give proper attention to something one is responsible for.
• Failure to act: A more general phrase for not taking required action.

Antonyms

• Feasance: (as above) The performance of a duty.
• Fulfillment: The act of meeting a requirement or obligation.
• Performance: The execution or carrying out of a duty, task, or function.

Noun

1. a failure to act when under an obligation to do so; a refusal (without sufficient excuse) to do that which it is your legal duty to do