misuse

[mis-yoos, mis-yooz]

noun

1. wrong or improper use; misapplication.

   Synonyms: misappropriation, misemployment

2. Obsolete.,  bad or abusive treatment.

verb (used with object)

misused, misusing 

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

"We are committed to ensuring the service remains a force for good and sustains trust worldwide: both connecting the unconnected and detecting and preventing misuse by bad actors," she added.

Read more on BBC

Solicitor General John Sauer in a court brief said the ruling would prevent the “lion’s share” of prosecutions involving people “who pose a clear danger of misusing firearms.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Mrs Hing, who sits on misconduct panels, said the majority of AI misuse among students was accidental due to "a lack of skill or knowledge, or confidence".

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Chinese officials have defended their rare-earth restrictions as legitimate moves aimed at preventing the minerals’ misuse.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

He was charged with providing, attempting to provide or conspiring to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization, and the fraud and misuse of a visa or other documents.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• corruption 
• exploitation 
• harm 
• maltreatment 
• mistreatment www.thesaurus.com
• prostitution 
• squandering www.thesaurus.com
• waste