as in abuse
incorrect or improper use
the warranty for this dryer is null and void if you subject the product to deliberate misuse
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to abuse
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to bully
to inflict physical or emotional harm upon
sadly misused by the people he had trusted
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of misuse
Cora Lewis, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026
But the use — and misuse — of AI chatbots like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini by litigants, particularly non-lawyers who choose to represent themselves in legal fights, can pour gas on the flames of this old problem.
—Maggie Harrison Dupré, Futurism, 18 Mar. 2026
Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 23 Mar. 2026
Even those made from durable materials can break if misused.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for misuse
Noun
Mendez defines this type of theft as the misuse of one’s Social Security number or other personal information, often to collect a tax refund.
—Cora Lewis, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026
But the use — and misuse — of AI chatbots like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini by litigants, particularly non-lawyers who choose to represent themselves in legal fights, can pour gas on the flames of this old problem.
—Maggie Harrison Dupré, Futurism, 18 Mar. 2026
Verb
Cook said that while the department has outlined policies limiting how drones can be used, those rules do not guarantee that the technology will not be misused.
—Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 23 Mar. 2026
Even those made from durable materials can break if misused.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for misuse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for misuse
abuse
Noun
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King, who is in his early fifties, is a former marine, a motivational speaker, and a mental-health and substance-abuse professional.—
Charles Bethea,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
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Payments will be based on severity and duration of the abuse, the level of cooperation with investigators and other factors, records show.—
Chase Jordan,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Misuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misuse. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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