misspent
Americanverb
adjective
Etymology
Origin of misspent
First recorded in 1425–75, for the adjective
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.
The government expected nothing in return and had no easy way to recoup misspent money.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 11, 2026
The workers’ coordinated front is going up against a school district facing leadership turmoil and suspicion of misspent funds.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026
He alleges that some government officials hoped to bypass the legal requirements, including public consultation, that are supposed to prevent taxpayers' money from being misspent.
From BBC • Dec. 20, 2024
Other issues to arise in this contest have included the role of school police on campus and allegations that the district misspent voter-approved funding to increase arts instruction, questions that the candidates have addressed below.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 3, 2024
“This can’t be the first time an unauthorized person misspent money.”
From "Schooled" by Gordon Korman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
