misuse

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of MISUSE

to put to a bad or improper use <an actor who misused his considerable talent by appearing in too many lousy movies>

Synonyms abuse, misemploy, misuse, pervert, profane, prostitute

Related Words degrade, twist; mismanage; corrupt, debase, desecrate

Near Antonyms apply, employ, use, utilize; respect

to inflict physical or emotional harm upon <sadly misused by the people he had trusted>

Synonyms brutalize, bully, ill-treat, ill-use, kick around, maltreat, manhandle, mess over [slang], mishandle, mistreat, misuse

Related Words molest, outrage, violate; harass, harm, hurt, injure, oppress, persecute, torment, torture; burn, sandbag, victimize, wrong; beat (up), mess (up), rough (up), work (over)

Near Antonyms care (for), cherish, foster, nurture; baby, cater (to), coddle, favor, gratify, humor, indulge, mollycoddle, pamper, spoil

What made you want to look up misuse[verb]? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Put-downs with flair

How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.

Test your vocab with our fun, fast game

Ailurophobia, and 9 other unusual fears