1
as in abused
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in bullied
to inflict physical or emotional harm upon
sadly misused by the people he had trusted
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of misused
Some scientists cited in the DOE's report have said their research was misrepresented or misused in the report.
—
Connor Giffin, Louisville Courier Journal, 25 Sep. 2025
Broader Policy Context The new rule comes after years of debate about whether H-1B visas are being misused by outsourcing firms or undercutting domestic workers.
—Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
Benson and other officials have expressed concern that the data could be misused to suppress voting or intimidate voters.
—Todd Spangler, Freep.com, 23 Sep. 2025
Only the first is still fashionable, and the last has been so debased, misused, and weaponized over the centuries as to be almost unspeakable in polite company.
—Zadie Smith, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
Hands-on experience, real challenges and environments that reward creative thinking—within safe and constructive boundaries—can redirect skills before they are misused.
—Chris Wysopal, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Those who filed a claim in Facebook’s $725 million settlement over claims that user data was shared and misused without consent, may finally see a check hit their mailbox or checking account soon.
—Meredith G. White, AZCentral.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Unbeknownst to them, the underlying tech for M3GAN has been stolen and misused by a powerful defense contractor to create a military-grade weapon known as Amelia (Sakhno), the ultimate killer infiltration spy.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 12 Sep. 2025
Sensitive information could be stored, analyzed, or misused without families fully knowing.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Connor Giffin, Louisville Courier Journal, 25 Sep. 2025
Broader Policy Context The new rule comes after years of debate about whether H-1B visas are being misused by outsourcing firms or undercutting domestic workers.
—Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
Benson and other officials have expressed concern that the data could be misused to suppress voting or intimidate voters.
—Todd Spangler, Freep.com, 23 Sep. 2025
Only the first is still fashionable, and the last has been so debased, misused, and weaponized over the centuries as to be almost unspeakable in polite company.
—Zadie Smith, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
Hands-on experience, real challenges and environments that reward creative thinking—within safe and constructive boundaries—can redirect skills before they are misused.
—Chris Wysopal, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Those who filed a claim in Facebook’s $725 million settlement over claims that user data was shared and misused without consent, may finally see a check hit their mailbox or checking account soon.
—Meredith G. White, AZCentral.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Unbeknownst to them, the underlying tech for M3GAN has been stolen and misused by a powerful defense contractor to create a military-grade weapon known as Amelia (Sakhno), the ultimate killer infiltration spy.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 12 Sep. 2025
Sensitive information could be stored, analyzed, or misused without families fully knowing.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for misused
abused
Verb
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The individuals Trump is calling out, the White House and its MAGA allies say, abused their power to keep him from returning to the presidency.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
23 Sep. 2025
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The complaints are wrenching by any measure – boys and girls as young as 8 who claim they were targeted, molested and otherwise abused by county Health and Human Services Agency workers.—
Jeff McDonald,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Misused.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misused. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
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