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

Synonyms of misapplication

• misuse
• abuse

Examples of misapplication in a Sentence

this silly gossiping is a serious misapplication of your time

Recent Examples on the Web

In its worst forms, paranoia is a misapplication of the tools of attention, devotion, and care, scuttled by dread, the oppression of the unknown, and a lack of support. —James Folta, Literary Hub, 5 Feb. 2026

That conclusion rests on a profound misapplication of pediatric bioethics principles. —Amy Caruso Brown, STAT, 30 Jan. 2026

And this misapplication, whether through inappropriate comparisons and limited context, or a disregard for methodological boundaries, risks undermining both consumer and stakeholder trust in sustainability claims and data integrity—and misleading investments and interventions. —Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 13 Oct. 2025

In March, Waldrop was arrested by Parker County Sheriff’s Office deputies on suspicion of theft and misapplication of funds. —Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1607, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for misapplication

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration