misapplication

noun

mis·​ap·​pli·​ca·​tion ˌmis-ˌa-plə-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce misapplication (audio)
plural misapplications
Synonyms of misapplicationnext
1
: the act or an instance of applying something incorrectly or improperly
a misapplication of the law
herbicide misapplication
2
: the act or an instance of misusing or spending something (such as public money) without proper authority
… a bank president was convicted of misapplication after he programmed the bank's computer not to debit his personal checking account when it would otherwise have been overdrawn.Stanley S. Arkin

Synonyms of misapplication

Examples of misapplication in a Sentence

this silly gossiping is a serious misapplication of your time
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Porter was charged with five felony counts of theft of service over $30,000 and one count of misapplication of a trust fund, which is a misdemeanor. Tanya Babbar, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 May 2026 An improved driver assistance suite now packages standard lane departure prevention, traffic sign recognition, intelligent emergency braking, and pedal misapplication collision prevention. C.c. Weiss may 19, New Atlas, 19 May 2026 Rappa has been charged with two counts of embezzlement or misapplication by a fiduciary, two counts of larceny over $1,200, and the unauthorized practice of law. Riley Rourke, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026 Attorney Henry Rappa, 57, will be arraigned in Cambridge District Court on two counts each of embezzlement or misapplication by a fiduciary and larceny over $1,200, as well as a single count of unauthorized practice of law. Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 2 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for misapplication

Word History

First Known Use

1607, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of misapplication was in 1607

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Misapplication.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/misapplication. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster