What term describes actions that are inherently wrongful or illegal in nature?

The term that describes actions that are inherently wrongful or illegal in nature is malfeasance. This concept refers specifically to the performance of an act that is legally unjustifiable or wrongful, typically in a professional context. Malfeasance signifies that an individual has committed a harmful act or undertaken an activity that they had a duty to avoid, often leading to liability or legal consequences.

In comparison, malpractice refers to professional misbehavior or failure to meet the standards of care expected in a profession, but it does not alone imply criminal wrongdoing. Negligence involves a failure to act with the care that a reasonably prudent person would exercise, leading to unintentional harm, meaning it does not inherently denote an illegal action. Unintentional torts encompass a broader category of actions that cause harm without intent to do so, primarily relating to negligence rather than criminal conduct. Malfeasance distinctly denotes wrongful actions and is critical in understanding legal liabilities in various professional domains.