as in abuse
incorrect or improper use
the warranty for this dryer is null and void if you subject the product to deliberate misuse
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to abuse
to put to a bad or improper use
an actor who misused his considerable talent by appearing in too many lousy movies
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to bully
to inflict physical or emotional harm upon
sadly misused by the people he had trusted
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of misuse
PC Magazine, 19 Oct. 2025
And while biocontainment measures, such as those scientists use to work with dangerous pathogens, could theoretically prevent mirror bacteria from leaving a lab, those measures would be vulnerable to human error or deliberate misuse.
—Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2025
Ailsa Chang, NPR, 4 Nov. 2025
Environmental groups questioned the legality surrounding the decision to overturn the Biden-era rule, accusing the Senate of misusing the Congressional Review Act to serve the GOP's agenda.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 3 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for misuse
Noun
Though 2,000 police departments across the country were thought to have used the feature, it was dogged by accusations of overreach and misuse among neighbors.
—PC Magazine, 19 Oct. 2025
And while biocontainment measures, such as those scientists use to work with dangerous pathogens, could theoretically prevent mirror bacteria from leaving a lab, those measures would be vulnerable to human error or deliberate misuse.
—Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
But now the justices will hear about how that tool may be misused.
—Ailsa Chang, NPR, 4 Nov. 2025
Environmental groups questioned the legality surrounding the decision to overturn the Biden-era rule, accusing the Senate of misusing the Congressional Review Act to serve the GOP's agenda.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 3 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for misuse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for misuse
abuse
Noun
-
He was suspended to begin the 1995 season for cocaine and admitted to having a substance abuse problem.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
8 Nov. 2025
-
The Belgian Catholic Church has been rocked by a series of devastating clerical abuse scandals in recent years, which Pope Francis confronted directly during a visit to Belgium last year, spending more than two hours with survivors.—
Christopher Lamb,
CNN Money,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Misuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misuse. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share