Synonyms of misuse

misuse 1 of 2

noun

ˌmis-ˈyüs 

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

• abuse
• misapplication
• destruction
• wrecking
• misusage
• perversion
• spoiling
• corruption
• mismanagement
• mishandling
• misutilization
• misemployment
• damage
• mistreatment
• maltreatment
• ill-treatment
• ruin
• prostitution
• desecration
• mismanaging
• debasement
• profanation
• ill-usage

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• use
• application
• employment
• utilization

misuse

2 of 2

verb

ˌmis-ˈyüz 

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

• abuse
• misapply
• pervert
• prostitute
• profane
• corrupt
• degrade
• misemploy
• twist
• desecrate
• mismanage
• debase

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• use
• apply
• utilize
• employ
• respect

2

as in to bully

to inflict physical or emotional harm upon

sadly misused by the people he had trusted

Synonyms & Similar Words

• abuse
• bully
• torture
• mistreat
• mishandle
• injure
• violate
• take apart
• oppress
• maltreat
• manhandle
• ill-use
• brutalize
• hurt
• ill-treat
• mess over
• persecute
• harm
• kick around
• outrage
• harass
• torment
• molest
• wrong
• work (over)
• victimize
• beat (up)
• rough (up)
• sandbag
• burn
• mess (up)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• care (for)
• foster
• nurture
• cherish
• baby
• favor
• spoil
• indulge
• cater (to)
• gratify
• humor
• coddle
• pamper
• mollycoddle

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of misuse

Noun

Progressive liver damage caused by conditions such as hepatitis, alcohol misuse or fatty liver disease were responsible for 52,274 deaths that year, per NCHS. — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026

Wherever Kelly Davis looked injustice in the eye, or inequity or the misuse of authority, outrage surely followed. — Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 July 2026

Verb

On March 30, a Paris court convicts Le Pen and other National Rally officials of misusing European Parliament funds, sentences her to prison and bars her from seeking public office for five years with immediate effect. — ABC News, 6 July 2026

Gray alleged a litany of corruption violations, including claims that Haggerty double-billed the county for travel expenses and misused public resources. — Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 6 July 2026