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

However, Co-CEO Richard Teng later said the attack involved a more complex process rather than the misuse of a single engineer's permissions. — Jenny Lee,liz Napolitano,davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 29 Oct. 2026

This summer, cities were terminating contracts at a record pace, with Flock haters crossing political divides to unite against the invasive cameras that many cops abuse and misuse. — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 28 Oct. 2026

Verb

The Institute for Justice documents scores of cases in which officers are accused of misusing ALPRs in ways besides stalking, including officers giving search results to unauthorized people. — Graham Hurley, CNN Money, 1 Nov. 2026

The company’s statements do not appear to sympathize with residents who fear their data may have been misused by unknown Flock owners. — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 28 Oct. 2026