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Misuse Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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misuse

[ˌmɪsˈjuːz ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

inappropriate behavior

To use something incorrectly or inappropriately, especially for one's own advantage or benefit. It often involves manipulating or exploiting something in a way that is not intended.

Synonyms

abuse, exploit, manipulate, misapply.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
misuse

Use 'misuse' when someone uses something in the wrong way, often leading to harm or problems, but without the intention to cause harm.

  • The misuse of antibiotics can lead to drug-resistant bacteria.
  • She was fined for the misuse of the company's software.
abuse

Use 'abuse' when referring to harmful behavior that is intentional and often includes mistreatment or cruelty. This word has a strong negative connotation.

  • He was fired for the abuse of his power in the workplace.
  • Child abuse is a serious crime that needs to be reported immediately.
exploit

Use 'exploit' when someone takes unfair advantage of a person or situation for their own benefit, often with negative ethical implications.

  • The company was found to exploit its workers by paying them extremely low wages.
  • Hackers exploit software vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access to systems.
manipulate

Use 'manipulate' when someone skillfully controls or influences others or situations, often for personal gain, and usually with a negative connotation.

  • She tried to manipulate the results of the experiment to support her hypothesis.
  • He manipulated his friends to do all his homework for him.
misapply

Use 'misapply' when something is used incorrectly, usually in a technical or formal sense, often unintentional but may still cause problems.

  • The researcher misapplied the statistical methods, leading to incorrect conclusions.
  • Misapplying funds from the grant could result in a financial audit.

Examples of usage

  • He misused company funds for personal expenses.
  • She was accused of misusing her authority for personal gain.
  • The teacher warned the students not to misuse the school equipment.
Context #2 | Noun

inappropriate use

The incorrect or inappropriate use of something, especially for selfish or dishonest purposes.

Synonyms

abuse, improper use, misapplication, misutilization.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
misuse

Used when someone uses something in the wrong way or for the wrong purpose, often not intentional.

  • He misused the office printer for personal documents
abuse

Has a strong negative connotation, typically referring to intentional and harmful misuse, often related to power or substances.

  • The manager abused his power to intimidate employees
misapplication

Used in formal contexts, often referring to the incorrect application of rules, methods, or processes.

  • The misapplication of company policies led to confusion among staff
improper use

Describes using something in a way that is not appropriate or correct; generally more formal and less negative than 'abuse'.

  • Improper use of the equipment can lead to accidents
misutilization

A more technical term, used in professional or academic contexts to describe using resources or tools ineffectively or incorrectly.

  • The misutilization of the research funds resulted in an incomplete study

Examples of usage

  • The misuse of power can lead to corruption.
  • He was found guilty of misuse of public funds.
  • There are strict penalties for the misuse of prescription drugs.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Legal Context

  • In legal settings, 'misuse' can relate to misappropriation of funds, laws are in place to prevent and penalize this behavior.
  • Professional misconduct often pertains to misuse of power or resources, impacting trust in various professions.
  • Misuse of drugs refers to using medications in a way not intended by the prescribing doctor, which has significant health implications.

Psychology

  • Misuse is often linked to cognitive distortions, where individuals fail to recognize the correct use of things due to flawed thinking.
  • The concept of misuse extends to relationships, such as when trust is compromised or miscommunicated.
  • Therapists may explore the idea of misuse in habits, helping individuals identify and change harmful patterns.

Pop Culture

  • Books, films, and songs often address the theme of misuse, exploring the consequences of using people or resources selfishly.
  • Popular media frequently illustrates the misuse of technology, such as social media, demonstrating its impact on relationships and society.
  • Characters in stories often face trials due to their misuses, providing moral lessons about responsibility and care.

Education

  • In educational contexts, teachers emphasize the importance of proper usage of tools and knowledge to prevent misuse.
  • Misuse in learning environments can refer to the incorrect application of concepts, affecting student understanding.
  • Educational campaigns often focus on raising awareness about the misuse of certain substances, aiming to prevent harmful behaviors.

Origin of 'misuse'

Main points about word origin

  • The term combines the prefix 'mis-', which means wrong or bad, with 'use,' indicating the action of using something.
  • It dates back to the late Middle Ages, highlighting a long history of understanding improper use.
  • The word has evolved from a literal sense of misuse to include emotional and ethical contexts, such as misusing trust.

The word 'misuse' originated in the early 15th century from the combination of 'mis-' (meaning 'badly' or 'wrongly') and 'use'. It has been used in English to describe the incorrect or inappropriate use of something for centuries. The concept of misuse extends beyond physical objects to include power, authority, and resources. Throughout history, misuse has been a common theme in ethical and moral discussions, highlighting the importance of using things in the proper way.

See also: abuse, disuse, disused, misused, overuse, peruse, reusableness, reuse, reusing, underuse, unusable, unused, usability, usable, usage, used, useful, usefully, usefulness, useless, uselessness, users, using, usual, utensil, utilize.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #11,138, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.