misspend
verb
mis·spend
ˌmis-ˈspend 
misspent
ˌmis-ˈspent
; misspending
; misspending
: to spend wrongly : squander
a misspent life
Examples of misspend in a Sentence
Several government officials have been accused of misspending public money.
warned that a childhood spent hanging around indoors was a misspent youth indeed
Recent Examples on the Web
In last week’s debate, the moderators asked about billions of local and state dollars for homelessness that were allegedly misspent.
—
Conor Friedersdorf, The Atlantic, 12 May 2026
Two former inspectors who monitored the energy efficiency program have come forward publicly with allegations that millions in ratepayer funds were misspent.
—Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 20 Apr. 2026
The forensic audit said that, although there was no evidence money had been misspent, district administrators may have violated state and local regulations over several years by not including the rebates, which were held by the insurance company for the district, in yearly budgets or audits.
—Mona Darwish, Oc Register, 15 Apr. 2026
Third, an oversight commission with genuine independence: members selected by a neutral panel, auditors hired without City Hall approval and real authority to halt disbursements when funds are misspent.
—Loren Taylor, Mercury News, 11 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for misspend
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Conor Friedersdorf, The Atlantic, 12 May 2026
Two former inspectors who monitored the energy efficiency program have come forward publicly with allegations that millions in ratepayer funds were misspent.
—Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 20 Apr. 2026
The forensic audit said that, although there was no evidence money had been misspent, district administrators may have violated state and local regulations over several years by not including the rebates, which were held by the insurance company for the district, in yearly budgets or audits.
—Mona Darwish, Oc Register, 15 Apr. 2026
Third, an oversight commission with genuine independence: members selected by a neutral panel, auditors hired without City Hall approval and real authority to halt disbursements when funds are misspent.
—Loren Taylor, Mercury News, 11 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for misspend
Cite this Entry
“Misspend.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/misspend. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
misspend
verb
mis·spend
(ˈ)mis-ˈspend
misspent
-ˈspent
; misspending
; misspending
: waste entry 2 sense 3, squander
a misspent youth
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