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| mis·use [ miss yss ] |
noun (plural mis·us·es) |
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| Definition: |
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1. wrong use: the incorrect or improper use of something
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2. cruel treatment: the cruel treatment of a person or animal
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transitive verb (past and past participle mis·used, present participle mis·us·ing, 3rd person present singular mis·us·es) |
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| Definition: |
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1. use something wrongly: to use something in an incorrect or improper way, or for a dishonest purpose
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2. treat somebody cruelly: to treat a person or animal cruelly
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 mis·used adjective |
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| Word Key: Synonyms |
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misuse, abuse, misappropriate, ill-use, misapply
CORE MEANING: to use something for an inappropriate purpose
misuse to use something in an incorrect or improper way, or for a dishonest purpose;
The former president is charged with misusing money from secret government funds during his presidency.
abuse to use something in an improper, illegal, or harmful way;
A handful of cynical local officials have behaved deplorably, abusing their powers.
She admits having abused drugs and alcohol.
misappropriate to take something, especially money, dishonestly, or in order to use it for an improper or illegal purpose;
He was sentenced to 12 years in jail on charges of misappropriating foreign aid for personal gain.
ill-use to use something improperly;
He was placed under investigation to determine how much of the $35 million that had been ill-used was his responsibility.
The writing is creative, in the true sense of that ill-used word.
misapply to use something badly, incorrectly, or improperly;
He said the appeals court "disregarded the facts and misapplied the law." |
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