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
While the complaint was pending, Myer allegedly contacted Norwalk police and told them Gabriele was misusing a license plate again, the lawsuit contends.
—
Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 6 Feb. 2026
He was arrested again in 2024 and 2025 for misusing 911, but was released by a magistrate judge and did not serve prison time.
—Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 6 Feb. 2026
Three months later, Jackson pleaded guilty to misusing $750,000 in campaign funds — spending the money as a personal slush fund, and served 23 months in prison.
—Todd Feurer, CBS News, 2 Feb. 2026
Legislators opposed to the bill voiced concern about a governor misusing the military police force without requests from local officials to limit Hoosier free speech.
—Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 1 Feb. 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
Despite the size of her gifts, which now often exceed the recipient organization’s annual budget, research from the Center for Effective Philanthropy has found that concerns about nonprofits misusing Scott’s funds or growing unsustainably have largely not been born out.
—Thalia Beaty, Los Angeles Times, 13 Jan. 2026
Despite the size of her gifts, which now often exceed the recipient organization’s annual budget, research from the Center for Effective Philanthropy has found that concerns about nonprofits misusing Scott’s funds or growing unsustainably have largely not been born out.
—Thalia Beaty, Fortune, 12 Jan. 2026
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
Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 6 Feb. 2026
He was arrested again in 2024 and 2025 for misusing 911, but was released by a magistrate judge and did not serve prison time.
—Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 6 Feb. 2026
Three months later, Jackson pleaded guilty to misusing $750,000 in campaign funds — spending the money as a personal slush fund, and served 23 months in prison.
—Todd Feurer, CBS News, 2 Feb. 2026
Legislators opposed to the bill voiced concern about a governor misusing the military police force without requests from local officials to limit Hoosier free speech.
—Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 1 Feb. 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
Despite the size of her gifts, which now often exceed the recipient organization’s annual budget, research from the Center for Effective Philanthropy has found that concerns about nonprofits misusing Scott’s funds or growing unsustainably have largely not been born out.
—Thalia Beaty, Los Angeles Times, 13 Jan. 2026
Despite the size of her gifts, which now often exceed the recipient organization’s annual budget, research from the Center for Effective Philanthropy has found that concerns about nonprofits misusing Scott’s funds or growing unsustainably have largely not been born out.
—Thalia Beaty, Fortune, 12 Jan. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for misusing
abusing
Verb
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The couple was accused of abusing Ethan and their 3-year-old son.—
DeJanay Booth-Singleton,
CBS News,
6 Feb. 2026
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According to the lawsuit, Myer allegedly began abusing his police powers against Gabriele in September 2021.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Misusing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misusing. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
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