1
as in abusing
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 bullying
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 misusing
Jacobson retired effective immediately on Monday after he was confronted by Mayor Justin Elicker and admitted to misusing the money, Elicker told reporters.
—
David Matthews, New York Daily News, 6 Jan. 2026
According to the Cleveland Clinic, vocal cord lesions are growths that form on the vocal cords, typically as a result of a person overusing or misusing their voice.
—Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 5 Jan. 2026
As the number of successful emergency docket requests continued to accumulate, the liberal minority expressed increasing frustration through its dissents, accusing the majority of misusing the emergency docket.
—Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 1 Jan. 2026
When Brown called 911 again for help from different officers, the sergeant arrested him on a misdemeanor charge of misusing 911.
—Charlotte Observer, 11 Dec. 2025
However, research from the Center for Effective Philanthropy in 2023 found that concerns about nonprofits misusing Scott’s funds or growing unsustainably have largely not been born out.
—Thalia Beaty, Fortune, 11 Dec. 2025
Trump has repeatedly accused Biden staffers of misusing an autopen device to sign executive orders without the president's approval, though Biden has denied all allegations.
—Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 8 Dec. 2025
The congresswoman, who represents parts of Broward and Palm Beach counties, faces accusations of misusing disaster relief funds for personal gain and her congressional campaign.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 28 Nov. 2025
Hong Kong — A Chinese coffee chain has apologized and changed its name after state media roasted it for misusing a word revered by the nation’s communist government.
—Chris Lau, CNN Money, 9 Nov. 2025
David Matthews, New York Daily News, 6 Jan. 2026
According to the Cleveland Clinic, vocal cord lesions are growths that form on the vocal cords, typically as a result of a person overusing or misusing their voice.
—Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 5 Jan. 2026
As the number of successful emergency docket requests continued to accumulate, the liberal minority expressed increasing frustration through its dissents, accusing the majority of misusing the emergency docket.
—Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 1 Jan. 2026
When Brown called 911 again for help from different officers, the sergeant arrested him on a misdemeanor charge of misusing 911.
—Charlotte Observer, 11 Dec. 2025
However, research from the Center for Effective Philanthropy in 2023 found that concerns about nonprofits misusing Scott’s funds or growing unsustainably have largely not been born out.
—Thalia Beaty, Fortune, 11 Dec. 2025
Trump has repeatedly accused Biden staffers of misusing an autopen device to sign executive orders without the president's approval, though Biden has denied all allegations.
—Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 8 Dec. 2025
The congresswoman, who represents parts of Broward and Palm Beach counties, faces accusations of misusing disaster relief funds for personal gain and her congressional campaign.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 28 Nov. 2025
Hong Kong — A Chinese coffee chain has apologized and changed its name after state media roasted it for misusing a word revered by the nation’s communist government.
—Chris Lau, CNN Money, 9 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for misusing
abusing
Verb
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Three people are awaiting trial on charges of physically and psychologically abusing the victim, now 17.—
Rafael Olmeda,
Sun Sentinel,
10 Jan. 2026
-
He was arraigned three months later on charges of repeatedly abusing the child.—
Muri Assunção,
New York Daily News,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Misusing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misusing. Accessed 21 Jan. 2026.
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