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

The new lawsuit follows an earlier suit filed by Universal Music Group, Concord, and ABKCO in October 2023 which alleged comparable misuse of their song catalogs to train Claude. — Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 30 Aug. 2026

In combination products naloxone is included primarily to discourage certain forms of misuse. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026

Verb

In Brussels’ view, those weaknesses create a direct risk that EU funds can be misused without such abuse being properly detected or punished. — Dominique Soguel, Christian Science Monitor, 30 Aug. 2026

An officer with the Porter County Sheriff’s Department who misused the county’s license plate reader system has been demoted, suspended without pay and faced other disciplinary measures, according to a release from Sheriff Jeffery Balon. — Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026