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 withmisusing 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

By 2025, misleading guidance spread widely on social media, encouraging taxpayers to misuse forms like 4136 or modify wage information through consumer tax software. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 12 Mar. 2026

The county also repeated a claim made in late 2024, that Mind OC signed a $275,000 contract with a company owned by the wife of the chief of staff for Do, who is serving a 60-month sentence after pleading guilty to federal charges of misusing more than $10 million in public money. —Andre Mouchard, Oc Register, 11 Mar. 2026

Noun

Friends of Tandy Hill, a group that works to protect the 220-acre native prairie in Fort Worth from ongoing issues like misuse and vandalism, has met with the city three times about this issue in the past year, said Don Young, the group’s founder and president. —Samuel O’Neal 17, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Mar. 2026

Mendez defines this type of theft as the misuse of one’s social security number or other personal information, often to collect a tax refund. —Cora Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 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