misapplication
noun
mis·ap·pli·ca·tion
ˌmis-ˌa-plə-ˈkā-shən 
plural misapplications
1
: the act or an instance of applying something incorrectly or improperly
a misapplication of the law
herbicide misapplication
2
: the act or an instance of misusing or spending something (such as public money) without proper authority
… a bank president was convicted of misapplication after he programmed the bank's computer not to debit his personal checking account when it would otherwise have been overdrawn.—
Stanley S. Arkin
Stanley S. ArkinExamples of misapplication in a Sentence
this silly gossiping is a serious misapplication of your time
Recent Examples on the Web
An improved driver assistance suite now packages standard lane departure prevention, traffic sign recognition, intelligent emergency braking, and pedal misapplication collision prevention.
—C.c. Weiss
may 19, New Atlas, 19 May 2026
He was booked into the county jail the same day and charged with seven felonies, including theft of service between $2,500 and $30,000, misapplication of construction funds totaling $500 or more and theft of property between $2,500 and $30,000.
—Tanya Babbar, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 May 2026
Rappa has been charged with two counts of embezzlement or misapplication by a fiduciary, two counts of larceny over $1,200, and the unauthorized practice of law.
—Riley Rourke, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
Teams are required to demonstrate that there was a misapplication of the official playing rules, as opposed to an error in judgment by game officials, according to the NBA.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for misapplication
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C.c. Weiss
may 19, New Atlas, 19 May 2026
He was booked into the county jail the same day and charged with seven felonies, including theft of service between $2,500 and $30,000, misapplication of construction funds totaling $500 or more and theft of property between $2,500 and $30,000.
—Tanya Babbar, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 May 2026
Rappa has been charged with two counts of embezzlement or misapplication by a fiduciary, two counts of larceny over $1,200, and the unauthorized practice of law.
—Riley Rourke, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
Teams are required to demonstrate that there was a misapplication of the official playing rules, as opposed to an error in judgment by game officials, according to the NBA.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for misapplication
Cite this Entry
“Misapplication.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/misapplication. Accessed 27 May. 2026.
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