misapplied

American  

[mis-uh-plahyd] / ˌmɪs əˈplaɪd /

adjective

1. mistakenly applied; applied; used wrongly.

---

Etymology

Origin of misapplied

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

Example Sentences

"It is a textbook case of science misapplied and ethics ignored," Shahzad Gani and Krishna Achutarao wrote in The Hindu newspaper.

From Barron's • Nov. 2, 2025

When a larger group of judges reviewed the decision, some found that the smaller panel had misapplied the law — but they were overruled.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 16, 2024

Yoo’s record reminds us that the law can be misapplied and used as an enabler, rather than as a restraint on unlawful power.

From Salon • Jul. 17, 2024

"The policy was either misapplied or it revealed that there is a problem with the policy and that there is no whistleblower provision," she said.

From BBC • May 16, 2023

The reason it’s worth standing up for punctu-ation is not that it’s an arbitrary system of notation known only to an over-sensitive elite who have attacks of the vapours when they see it misapplied.

From "Eats, Shoots & Leaves" by Author