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
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
The technology continues to improve despite its drawbacks and misapplications, and major companies keep increasing their investments rather than pulling back.
—ArsTechnica, 21 Aug. 2025
The suit is part of a history of antagonism between Gillett and the industry over adverse decisions that the utilities argue are based on misapplication of regulatory law.
—Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 16 Aug. 2025
Intimidation, the misapplication of power, is rampant at every level of government.
—Harvey Levine, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for misapplication
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Aug. 2025
The technology continues to improve despite its drawbacks and misapplications, and major companies keep increasing their investments rather than pulling back.
—ArsTechnica, 21 Aug. 2025
The suit is part of a history of antagonism between Gillett and the industry over adverse decisions that the utilities argue are based on misapplication of regulatory law.
—Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 16 Aug. 2025
Intimidation, the misapplication of power, is rampant at every level of government.
—Harvey Levine, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for misapplication
Cite this Entry
“Misapplication.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/misapplication. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share