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
Cheryl Corley, NPR, 17 Feb. 2026
Identity protection services can monitor for misuse of your information, alert you early and help with recovery if fraud occurs.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 16 Feb. 2026
Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
If the federal government insists on misusing courts as traps rather than the place where disputes are legally hashed out, then our justice system needs to find safe ways for people to appear.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for misuse
Noun
After leaving office, he was investigated for misuse of campaign funds and pleaded guilty in 2013 to spending $750,000 in campaign funds for personal use.
—Cheryl Corley, NPR, 17 Feb. 2026
Identity protection services can monitor for misuse of your information, alert you early and help with recovery if fraud occurs.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 16 Feb. 2026
Verb
His mismanagement was so reckless that key duties were stripped from the agency, & he was fined by the Texas Ethics Commission for misusing state & campaign funds.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
If the federal government insists on misusing courts as traps rather than the place where disputes are legally hashed out, then our justice system needs to find safe ways for people to appear.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for misuse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for misuse
abuse
Noun
-
After surveillance abuses in the 1960s — when federal agencies monitored Americans based on associations and viewpoints — public outrage forced new guardrails into law.—
Bob Shaw,
The Orlando Sentinel,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Over centuries, the fascination with relics has of course led to abuses, with thefts, forgeries and now online sales all part of their history.—
Nicole Winfield,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Misuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misuse. Accessed 1 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
