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
Relevance
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
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 misused
Money questions Another nonprofit is suing Hunger Busters, claiming Phillips misused grant money.
—
Andrea Lucia, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
The government denied that DOGE had misused private data held by Social Security.
—Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026
Sometimes these words are misunderstood or misused.
—Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 21 Jan. 2026
Once that data escapes, it can be misused in ways that last for years.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 20 Jan. 2026
Airpower, rather than being employed strategically, was increasingly misused.
—David A. Deptula, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
However, the technology has been misused, even generating false identifications and wrongful arrests.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 12 Jan. 2026
Ice buckets in hotel rooms can carry germs if not used with a liner, as they've occasionally been misused in unsanitary ways.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 8 Jan. 2026
And, if federal officials determine a state has misused funds, they can be withheld, reduced or clawed back.
—Jillian Taylor, StateImpact, 6 Jan. 2026
Andrea Lucia, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
The government denied that DOGE had misused private data held by Social Security.
—Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026
Sometimes these words are misunderstood or misused.
—Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 21 Jan. 2026
Once that data escapes, it can be misused in ways that last for years.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 20 Jan. 2026
Airpower, rather than being employed strategically, was increasingly misused.
—David A. Deptula, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
However, the technology has been misused, even generating false identifications and wrongful arrests.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 12 Jan. 2026
Ice buckets in hotel rooms can carry germs if not used with a liner, as they've occasionally been misused in unsanitary ways.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 8 Jan. 2026
And, if federal officials determine a state has misused funds, they can be withheld, reduced or clawed back.
—Jillian Taylor, StateImpact, 6 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for misused
abused
Verb
-
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office said Kayode Agbolade Ogunba allegedly abused patients at a local care home.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Others abused the hospitality, & winded up having to actually be evicted from the property.—
Cheyenne Derksen,
Oklahoman,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Misused.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misused. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
