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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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 misuse
Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2025
He is also accused of fraud and misuse of visas, permits and other documents.
—Greg Norman , Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Judith Martin, Mercury News, 23 Oct. 2025
The 51-year-old former assistant clerk magistrate has been indicted on charges related to misusing more than $71,000 in bail funds and forging a recognizance form to conceal her wrongdoing, according to the Massachusetts AG’s office.
—Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for misuse
Noun
And while biocontainment measures, such as those scientists use to work with dangerous pathogens, could theoretically prevent mirror bacteria from leaving a lab, those measures would be vulnerable to human error or deliberate misuse.
—Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2025
He is also accused of fraud and misuse of visas, permits and other documents.
—Greg Norman , Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
Etiquette can comment on some of the terms being used (or misused).
—Judith Martin, Mercury News, 23 Oct. 2025
The 51-year-old former assistant clerk magistrate has been indicted on charges related to misusing more than $71,000 in bail funds and forging a recognizance form to conceal her wrongdoing, according to the Massachusetts AG’s office.
—Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for misuse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for misuse
abuse
Noun
-
This franchise was once labeled the Jail Blazers for an era in the early 2000s that included transgressions of marijuana use, dogfighting, domestic abuse, fighting and drag racing.—
Jason Quick,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Separate Oklahoma court records reviewed by PEOPLE show that Rodriquez was charged in 2021 with child neglect and domestic abuse — assault and battery in the presence of a child.—
Christina Coulter,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Misuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misuse. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share