as in to spend
to use up carelessly
warned that a childhood spent hanging around indoors was a misspent youth indeed
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Recent Examples of misspend
Glen Gilzean, who left his Orange County post accused of misspending millions in taxpayer dollars, has been tapped as the new CEO of the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County.
—
Alexa Coultoff, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Apr. 2026
On Tuesday, the Federal Communications Commission chairman sent Newsom a letter demanding information about the state’s Next Generation 911 project and accused the governor of misspending state and federal dollars.
—William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 12 Feb. 2026
Another is the surprising fact that no Florida law specifically prohibits public officials from misspending public funds on political advertising.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 23 Jan. 2026
There are literally a million better ways to stop food waste than partnering with a family that has been convicted of felonies for misspending nonprofit money.
—Emily Barnes, USA Today, 24 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for misspend
Alexa Coultoff, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Apr. 2026
On Tuesday, the Federal Communications Commission chairman sent Newsom a letter demanding information about the state’s Next Generation 911 project and accused the governor of misspending state and federal dollars.
—William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 12 Feb. 2026
Another is the surprising fact that no Florida law specifically prohibits public officials from misspending public funds on political advertising.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 23 Jan. 2026
There are literally a million better ways to stop food waste than partnering with a family that has been convicted of felonies for misspending nonprofit money.
—Emily Barnes, USA Today, 24 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for misspend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for misspend
Verb
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As Kennedy and Bessette spend more time together and grow closer, her intimidation of the spotlight and fear of invasive paparazzi often create tension in their relationship, despite his attempts to calm the situation.—
Gerrad Hall,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 June 2026
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Clare joins me now to share why readers are spending real time and money to live inside their favorite fictional stories.—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
22 June 2026
Verb
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One hundred and twenty-six supporters lost their lives after police fired tear gas into the terraces following two late goals from Hearts of Oak in a game against Asante Kotoko.—
Simon Hughes,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
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The Royals have lost six of their last seven games.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Misspend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misspend. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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