misuse

1 of 2

verb

mis·​use ˌmis-ˈyüz 

misused; misusing; misuses

transitive verb

1

: to use incorrectly : misapply

misused his talents

a word that is frequently misused

was charged with misusing company funds

2

: abuse, mistreat

… their prisoner had the heavy task of receiving their insolence as wit, answering their insults with good-humour, and withholding from them the opportunity which they sought of engaging him in a quarrel, that they might have a pretence for misusing him.

—Sir Walter Scott

misuser noun

plural misusers

misuse

2 of 2

noun

mis·​use ˌmis-ˈyüs 

: incorrect or improper use : misapplication

the misuse of words

a misuse of power

Synonyms of misuse

Verb

• abuse

Noun

• abuse

Examples of misuse in a Sentence

Verb

She's charged with misusing company funds.

a word that is frequently misused

Noun

No refunds will be offered on products damaged by misuse.

the warranty for this dryer is null and void if you subject the product to deliberate misuse

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

As the Eastpointe City Council voted to terminate its contract with Flock cameras, officials say two police department employees were under investigation for allegedly misusing the technology. — Dejanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026

And just days after Michigan City police went before the city council to discuss adding Flock License Plate Readers to high-traffic areas in the city, the police department announced an officer had resigned after misusing data from the cameras. — Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 15 Sep. 2026

Noun

Brown has a history of mental health problems and had been arrested for misuse of the 911 system. — Danielle Battaglia, Charlotte Observer, 17 Sep. 2026

Not every misuse has been reported with a motive, but in several incidents, officers have used the tech to monitor current or ex-partners. — Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 16 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

Middle English, partly from mis- + usen to use; partly from Middle French mesuser to abuse, from Old French, from mes- + user to use

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for misuse

• accrues
• accuse
• aircrews
• amuse
• bamboos
• breakthroughs
• canoes
• cashews
• chartreuse
• confuse
• construes
• defuse

Kids Definition

misuse

1 of 2 verb

mis·​use mish-ˈüz 

(ˈ)mish-ˈyüz, 

(ˈ)mis-ˈyüz

1

: to use incorrectly : misapply

2

: abuse entry 1 sense 2, mistreat

misusage

-ˈ(y)ü-sij, 

-zij

noun

misuse

2 of 2 noun

mis·​use mish-ˈüs 

(ˈ)mish-ˈyüs, 

(ˈ)mis-ˈyüs

: incorrect or improper use