1
as in abusing
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in bullying
to inflict physical or emotional harm upon
sadly misused by the people he had trusted
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of misusing
That is the standard set for bringing weapons and cellphones into a secure area, safeguarding department property, monitoring the radio, misusing department letterhead, badges or insignia, secondary employment violations, and recommending bondsmen or attorneys to inmates.
—
Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 29 May 2026
The timing of the memo — roughly seven months before internal charges were filed against Newton Jones accusing him of misusing union money — places it in a critical period for the union’s leadership.
—Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 28 May 2026
In fact, a report by OIG just last year highlighted this as a problem and even led to significant changes at USP Thomson (IL) that had a history of misusing restraints on inmates.
—Walter Pavlo, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026
Those actions came in response to revelations that foreign governments were misusing the technology to commit human rights violations as well as targeting devices belonging to American politicians and officials.
—Jude Joffe-Block, NPR, 19 May 2026
In a similar case, an attorney was sanctioned for misusing AI and relying on inaccurate and fabricated legal citations.
—Mohamed Suliman, Boston Herald, 15 May 2026
The House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly to impeach the vice president on a range of accusations that include misusing public funds, accumulating unexplained wealth and plotting to assassinate the president.
—Kathleen Magramo, CNN Money, 13 May 2026
In federal court, the church is facing a lawsuit from its insurance company and a class-action suit by former members that accused the church of misusing millions in donations.
—Giles Hudson, CBS News, 12 May 2026
Duterte faces accusations of failing to declare major bank transactions, misusing confidential office funds, and making 2024 threats to have President Marcos, his wife, and a cousin killed.
—Jim Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 29 May 2026
The timing of the memo — roughly seven months before internal charges were filed against Newton Jones accusing him of misusing union money — places it in a critical period for the union’s leadership.
—Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 28 May 2026
In fact, a report by OIG just last year highlighted this as a problem and even led to significant changes at USP Thomson (IL) that had a history of misusing restraints on inmates.
—Walter Pavlo, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026
Those actions came in response to revelations that foreign governments were misusing the technology to commit human rights violations as well as targeting devices belonging to American politicians and officials.
—Jude Joffe-Block, NPR, 19 May 2026
In a similar case, an attorney was sanctioned for misusing AI and relying on inaccurate and fabricated legal citations.
—Mohamed Suliman, Boston Herald, 15 May 2026
The House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly to impeach the vice president on a range of accusations that include misusing public funds, accumulating unexplained wealth and plotting to assassinate the president.
—Kathleen Magramo, CNN Money, 13 May 2026
In federal court, the church is facing a lawsuit from its insurance company and a class-action suit by former members that accused the church of misusing millions in donations.
—Giles Hudson, CBS News, 12 May 2026
Duterte faces accusations of failing to declare major bank transactions, misusing confidential office funds, and making 2024 threats to have President Marcos, his wife, and a cousin killed.
—Jim Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for misusing
abusing
Verb
-
Tom accuses me of physically abusing Nick Bilton.—
Claire Carter,
The Washington Examiner,
7 June 2026
-
Lots of presidents have deported migrants who are here unlawfully, but Trump has made a show of sending some to a foreign prison notorious for abusing inmates.—
Conor Friedersdorf,
The Atlantic,
6 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Misusing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misusing. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
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