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

Additionally, some local law enforcement agencies identified instances of technology misuse by employees. — Dejanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026

If misuse is determined, it will be referred to prosecutors, the policy states. — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 14 Oct. 2026

Verb

Macedo wrote a letter to Steve Kawa, the chair of the authority’s board, ahead of the meeting saying that Choudri had misused taxpayer money and abused public trust. — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 10 Oct. 2026

In another case, the audit found that a high-ranking law enforcement officer misused confidential databases to look up family members and other employees without legitimate business purposes. — Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026