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Glite Dictionary
misused

misused

4.2
Used in a wrong or unfair way
  • adjective
  • /ˌmɪsˈjuːzd/
translation icon : mal utilizado
  • This book hit home with me, perhaps because some of my greatest regrets have come from ways I've misused words.

And stimulants are among the most widely misused prescription drugs, according to the US government.

Examples

  • Every time new technology is introduced, it is quickly misused to harm the most vulnerable.

  • Now let's face it, the word narcissism is misused and misdefined all the time.

  • Well, I mean, I think the word is just misused a lot.

  • Power was being misused and misunderstood.

  • I think that our ignorance can be misused by the powers that be.

  • The term 'addiction' is often misused to describe normal habits that do not cause harm.

  • Many people believe that the word 'infer' is misused when it is actually used to mean 'imply'.

  • In casual conversation, the technical term can be misused when people do not understand its true meaning.

Synonyms

to abuse
vsmisused
183 4.3

To use something in a way that harms

refers to incorrect or careless use without implying excessiveness
to misuse
vsmisused
60 3.9

To do something wrong with money, objects, or power

is the adjective form describing something used incorrectly or carelessly
to misapply
vsmisused
5 6.3

To use something in a wrong or unsuitable way

focuses on general incorrect or careless use rather than unintended use
to misspend
vsmisused
1 6.5

To spend time or money in a wasteful way

covers incorrect or careless use in general, not only spending resources
abused
vsmisused
  • NSFW
5.2

Used wrongly or too much, especially for drugs and alcohol

applies more broadly to any incorrect or careless use beyond substances

Antonyms

correct
282 1.0

Suitable for a particular situation or purpose

How Correctly Used

used
1 1.0
misused
4.2
abused
  • NSFW
5.2

Surface Forms

misused positive

Morphology

misused = misuse (transparent) = mis + use + ed

Formed by adding the regular past-participial suffix '-ed' to the verb 'misuse', producing the adjectival/past-participial form.

Etymology

The word misused starts with the prefix mis- meaning 'wrong' and the part use, which means 'to employ'. So it literally means 'used wrongly', and that is why misused describes something used incorrectly, carelessly, or for the wrong purpose.