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Glite Dictionary
to misapply

to misapply

5 6.3
To use something in a wrong or unsuitable way
  • verb
  • /ˌmɪsəˈplaɪ/
translation icon : malaplicar
  • If you misapply the safety protocols, it could result in serious accidents.
  • misapplied postmodernism

Examples

  • The funds were misapplied, leading to a significant budget shortfall.

  • He misapplied the instructions, causing confusion among the team.

  • Upon my word, Emma, better be without sense than misapply it as you do.

    Emma (1996)

  • The line of cases misapplying Rule 4 is still limited.

    Academic text (2017)

  • I have already found one instance of a reply being misapplied to the wrong comment earlier this morning.

    Blog text (1)

  • And by the way, sometimes that principle was misapplied and the punishment was far too severe for people.

  • You have taken scripture and misapplied it to your beliefs and for your gain.

    Blog text (6)

  • It's what most of the denialists who misapply the term skepticism in the climate change debate do.

    Blog text (25)

  • And three of those five decisions resulted in a dissenting opinion that accused the majority of misapplying the Marks framework.

    Academic text (2017)

  • Without understanding the client's worldview, these techniques can be misapplied, leading to charges of cultural oppression.

    Academic text (1994)

Synonyms

to abuse
vsto misapply
183 4.3

To use something in a way that harms

is using it wrongly or inappropriately but not necessarily excessively
to misuse
vsto misapply
60 3.9

To do something wrong with money, objects, or power

is using it in a way that is unintended or inappropriate

How Appropriate

to apply
374 2.8
to misapply
5 6.3
to misuse
60 3.9
to abuse
183 4.3

Surface Forms

misapply infinitive
misapplied past
misapplied past participle
misapplying present participle
misapplies third person singular

Morphology

misapply = apply (transparent) = mis + apply

The prefix 'mis-' clearly indicates incorrect or inappropriate use of the base word 'apply'.

Etymology

Misapply starts with mis-, meaning 'wrong' or 'badly', and ends with apply, meaning 'to put to use', so to misapply something is to use it in the wrong way.