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
Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 6 Feb. 2026
Deadline launched Rendering to spotlight AI innovation, as well as call out its misuse.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 5 Feb. 2026
Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 21 Jan. 2026
Collins’ former chief of staff and loyal aide, Brandon Phillips, is being investigated by the House Ethics Committee for allegedly misusing taxpayer funds.
—Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for misuse
Noun
Four of five speakers opposed the contract, citing privacy risks and the potential for misuse of data.
—Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 6 Feb. 2026
Deadline launched Rendering to spotlight AI innovation, as well as call out its misuse.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 5 Feb. 2026
Verb
Sometimes these words are misunderstood or misused.
—Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 21 Jan. 2026
Collins’ former chief of staff and loyal aide, Brandon Phillips, is being investigated by the House Ethics Committee for allegedly misusing taxpayer funds.
—Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for misuse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for misuse
abuse
Noun
-
Republicans said that would stave off abuse of the Medicaid program and added a $50 billion investment in rural health to offset losses.—
ALI SWENSON,
Arkansas Online,
9 Feb. 2026
-
The previous week, Celta striker Borja Iglesias was subjected to homophobic abuse following a game at Sevilla.—
Colin Millar,
New York Times,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Misuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misuse. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
