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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of misuse
Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Carolyn Iodice, legislative and policy director for the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, said the law’s structure invites misuse.
—Jack O'Connor, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 21 Jan. 2026
Collins’ former chief of staff and loyal aide, Brandon Phillips, is being investigated by the House Ethics Committee for allegedly misusing taxpayer funds.
—Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for misuse
Noun
The group cited risks of nuclear war, climate change, the misuse of biotechnology and the potential threat of artificial intelligence as reasons behind the clock's movement toward the end.
—Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Carolyn Iodice, legislative and policy director for the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, said the law’s structure invites misuse.
—Jack O'Connor, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
Verb
Sometimes these words are misunderstood or misused.
—Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 21 Jan. 2026
Collins’ former chief of staff and loyal aide, Brandon Phillips, is being investigated by the House Ethics Committee for allegedly misusing taxpayer funds.
—Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for misuse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for misuse
abuse
Noun
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In November, a medical examiner ruled Mimi's cause of death as fatal child abuse with starvation and the manner of death as homicide, NBC Connecticut reported.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
1 Feb. 2026
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Amid memories of childhood abuse and strained relationships, skating was a cathartic outlet for the trio, whose most revealing moments appear through flashback footage and more recent recordings.—
Ilana Gordon,
Entertainment Weekly,
1 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Misuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misuse. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.
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