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
"If we want to restore fiscal responsibility, we must start by being transparent about the dollars that are spent, address the issues we find, and then hold those accountable who have misspent funds," Johnson wrote.
From BBC • Jan. 3, 2025
But the AP found that fraudsters potentially stole more than $280 billion, while another $123 billion was wasted or misspent.
From Seattle Times • Apr. 28, 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.
