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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of misuse
Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2026
Impulsive behavior, aggression, emotional instabiliity and substance misuse are also symptoms of the disease.
—Michael Nowels, Mercury News, 16 June 2026
Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026
Police arrested Brown that night and charged him with misusing 911.
—Charlotte Observer, 9 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for misuse
Noun
Opponents say canceling the California lease undercuts the state’s clean-energy targets and may spark legal challenges over alleged misuse of taxpayer funds.
—Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2026
Impulsive behavior, aggression, emotional instabiliity and substance misuse are also symptoms of the disease.
—Michael Nowels, Mercury News, 16 June 2026
Verb
Some city leaders had also dinged the county for misusing homelessness money generated from a previous sales tax and argued this new pot of dollars would be handled no better.
—Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026
Police arrested Brown that night and charged him with misusing 911.
—Charlotte Observer, 9 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for misuse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for misuse
abuse
Noun
-
The red card to Almirón, who plays for Atlanta United in the MLS, was the first given in history for covering his mouth while talking to an opponent, a rule implemented to avoid racial abuse on the field.—
Gabriel Sama,
Mercury News,
21 June 2026
-
Vinícius reacted immediately, informing the referee, and play was halted for 10 minutes under UEFA's racist abuse protocol.—
Olivia Shalhoup,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Misuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misuse. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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