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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of misusing
What are the consequences for misusing the HOV lane?
—
Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Mar. 2026
Not to speak of misusing our soldiers and their consciences.
—Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2026
The same year, Thomas was convicted of misusing his office for private gain and sentenced to five years in federal prison.
—James Verini, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
The latest example of Trump misusing the Justice Department came when FBI agents turned up at the Fulton County (Atlanta) Election Hub and Operation Center.
—Carl P. Leubsdorf, Twin Cities, 1 Mar. 2026
Marcin Romanowski, the former deputy justice minister in the right-wing Polish government, is in hiding in Hungary, accused of misusing public funds.
—Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 26 Feb. 2026
At the time, Brown was out of jail without bail on charges of misusing the 911 system.
—Danielle Battaglia, Charlotte Observer, 25 Feb. 2026
The health insurer accused Nutex Health, in letters to the Idaho Department of Insurance and the federal government, of routinely overcharging the insurer for treatment at its Post Falls hospital and misusing the federal process designed to help providers and insurers settle out-of-network claims.
—Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 25 Feb. 2026
The beleaguered labor secretary had been accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a member of her security detail on top of misusing her funds.
—David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 22 Feb. 2026
Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Mar. 2026
Not to speak of misusing our soldiers and their consciences.
—Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2026
The same year, Thomas was convicted of misusing his office for private gain and sentenced to five years in federal prison.
—James Verini, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
The latest example of Trump misusing the Justice Department came when FBI agents turned up at the Fulton County (Atlanta) Election Hub and Operation Center.
—Carl P. Leubsdorf, Twin Cities, 1 Mar. 2026
Marcin Romanowski, the former deputy justice minister in the right-wing Polish government, is in hiding in Hungary, accused of misusing public funds.
—Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 26 Feb. 2026
At the time, Brown was out of jail without bail on charges of misusing the 911 system.
—Danielle Battaglia, Charlotte Observer, 25 Feb. 2026
The health insurer accused Nutex Health, in letters to the Idaho Department of Insurance and the federal government, of routinely overcharging the insurer for treatment at its Post Falls hospital and misusing the federal process designed to help providers and insurers settle out-of-network claims.
—Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 25 Feb. 2026
The beleaguered labor secretary had been accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a member of her security detail on top of misusing her funds.
—David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 22 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for misusing
abusing
Verb
-
Now that Democrats have control and have adopted a similar playbook, Republicans accuse them of abusing their power.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Chloe Johnson, 25, was caught on camera abusing several infants at a day care in Blaine, Minnesota.—
WCCO Staff,
CBS News,
8 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Misusing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misusing. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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