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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of misuse
Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 6 Feb. 2026
Deadline launched Rendering to spotlight AI innovation, as well as call out its misuse.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 5 Feb. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for misuse
Noun
Four of five speakers opposed the contract, citing privacy risks and the potential for misuse of data.
—Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 6 Feb. 2026
Deadline launched Rendering to spotlight AI innovation, as well as call out its misuse.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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
See All Example Sentences for misuse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for misuse
abuse
Noun
-
Republicans said that would stave off abuse of the Medicaid program and added a $50 billion investment in rural health to offset losses.—
ALI SWENSON,
Arkansas Online,
9 Feb. 2026
-
The previous week, Celta striker Borja Iglesias was subjected to homophobic abuse following a game at Sevilla.—
Colin Millar,
New York Times,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Misuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misuse. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
