misapplied

American

[mis-uh-plahyd] / ˌmɪs əˈplaɪd /

adjective

mistakenly applied; applied; used wrongly.

Etymology

Origin of misapplied

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"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

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 city of Grants Pass did so in this case November, arguing that the smaller panel had misapplied the law and allowed homelessness to spread.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 6, 2023

"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 elementary-school topic of percentages is continually being misapplied.

From "Innumeracy: Mathematical Illiteracy and Its Consequences" by John Allen Paulos

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023