misapplied

[ mis-uh-plahyd ]

adjective

1. mistakenly applied; applied; used wrongly.

Word History and Origins

Origin of misapplied¹

First recorded in 1620–30; mis- ¹ + applied

Example Sentences

Of all the misused words in the lexicon of punditocracy, “courageous” is easily the word most often misapplied.

From The Daily Beast

The biological doctrine of evolution was misinterpreted and misapplied to social policy.

From Project Gutenberg

Eric learned a great deal of harm from Upton, and the misapplied hero-worship led to bad results.

From Project Gutenberg

Could it be that Burleigh stood in need of all this money to cover other sums that he had misapplied?

From Project Gutenberg

Your money may be ill spent, your charity misapplied, but your piety never.

From Project Gutenberg

Drawing of blood was first invented for good and salutary purposes, although often abused and misapplied.

From Project Gutenberg