misuse

[ noun mis-yoos; verb mis-yooz ]

noun

1. wrong or improper use; misapplication.

   Synonyms: misappropriation, misemployment

2. Obsolete. bad or abusive treatment.

verb (used with object)

, mis·used, mis·us·ing.

1. to use wrongly or improperly; misapply.
2. to treat badly or abusively; maltreat.

misuse

noun

1. erroneous, improper, or unorthodox use

   misuse of words

2. cruel or inhumane treatment

verb

1. to use wrongly
2. to treat badly or harshly
3. to use (something, esp alcohol, drugs, etc) improperly

Word History and Origins

Origin of misuse¹

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; mis- ¹, use

Example Sentences

Now, the program’s biggest lender is investigating some of its own employees for aiding misuse of funds by customers.

From Fortune

The risk of illegal actions and misuse of the government funds has been top of mind for government watchdogs, government officials, and the media since the program’s rollout in early April.

From Fortune

The industry is expanding, and it should expand on the basis of the proper framework to regulate misuse.

From MIT Technology Review

It’s not a classic case of human rights abuse by a company, because we don’t operate the systems—we’re not involved in actual operations of the systems—but we understand there is a real risk of misuse from the customers.

From MIT Technology Review

The systems’ capabilities—as well as potential for misuse and abuse—will continue to grow by leaps and bounds.

From MIT Technology Review

Danczuk and fellow Labour MP Tom Watson have been demanding action to shine a light on allegations of the misuse of power.

From The Daily Beast

In other words, make fireworks less available for home misuse and develop an ever tougher crackdown on drunk drivers.

From The Daily Beast

The misuse of conscience exemptions is threatening our hard-won plurality.

From The Daily Beast

Zohydro is especially worrying because it contains no mechanism to deter misuse by snorting or injecting.

From The Daily Beast

The misuse of Sandy funds is not only morally indefensible but potentially criminal.

From The Daily Beast

Then you are a very bad trustee, thus to misuse the foot-way, and interrupt passengers.

From Project Gutenberg

Even waste and misuse are regulated by education and experience where there is even a modicum of intelligence.

From Project Gutenberg

Aristotle and Plato laboured under a continual embarrassment from this misuse of terms.

From Project Gutenberg

Misuse of a neural power machine, for one—and the domination and enslavement of a less advanced intelligent culture for another.

From Project Gutenberg

Since the Government has taken full charge of its forest domain, this misuse has stopped.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• corruption
• exploitation
• harm
• maltreatment
• mistreatment
• prostitution
• squandering
• waste