MISAPPLY Synonyms: 17 Similar and Opposite Words

misapply

verb

ˌmis-ə-ˈplī

Definition of misapply

as in to misuse

to put to a bad or improper use you've misapplied the theorem to certain problems that require a different formula kids who misapply their boundless energy and get into trouble

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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 misapply First, if a bull market means to you that stocks are trending unequivocally upward, then, no, the bull market label is being misapplied right now. — Jeff Sommer, New York Times, 16 June 2023 Democrats in Tallahassee say the program isn’t just bad policy, it was misapplied to move migrants from Texas. — Todd J. Gillman, Dallas News, 7 June 2023 O'Shea said the study's findings have often been misinterpreted or misapplied since its publication. — Hannah Hudnall, USA TODAY, 2 June 2023 Ioniţă still has both qualities in equal measure, but they were sorely misapplied in his performance of Dvořák’s cello concerto. — Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2023 See All Example Sentences for misapply

Recent Examples of Synonyms for misapply

Verb

The case, which Step Up settled for $3 million, alleged that the nonprofit and Southern California developer Shangri-La had misused state money intended to build affordable housing.

— Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 16 July 2026
Some donors were initially skeptical that aid could reach those who needed it without being stolen or misused by a notoriously corrupt government, Capponi said.

— Gabriela Aoun Angueira, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2026

Definition of misuse

Verb

OpenAI says its threat reports draw on its view of how actors try to abuse AI models, often in combination with other platforms and tools.

— Ron Schmelzer, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
Four people represented by the ACLU of Tennessee filed a lawsuit in May accusing the task force of abusing the law to block them from documenting officers’ actions, sometimes ordering them to stay more than 100 feet away from arrest scenes.

— Andy Rose, CNN Money, 10 July 2026

Definition of abuse

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misapplies

misapply

misapplying

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“Misapply.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misapply. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of misapply

verb

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