misuse
Handle in error
Misuse is improper or harmful use of something.
You can misuse a tool by using it for the wrong purpose, misuse power by wielding it unfairly, or misuse a word by applying it incorrectly.
The noun follows the same pattern: the misuse of public funds, drug misuse.
Misuse suggests deviation from intended or appropriate function rather than mere overuse.
Manage incompetently or roughly
- misapplyUse incorrectly
- misappropriateWrongly take another's assets
- mismanageHandle duties poorly
- misemployUse improperly or wrongly
misdirect · misallocate · misgovern · misrule · misconduct · overuse · underuse · misplace
Use up carelessly
- depleteGreatly reduce supply
- exhaustUse up entirely
- overconsumeUse beyond necessity
- inefficientPoor at using resources
profligate · extravagant · unnecessary · frivolous · wastefulness · drain · dissipate · fritter away
Corrupt payment for influence
- embezzlementFraudulent taking of entrusted assets
- fraudIntentional criminal trickery
- graftIllicit political gain
- kickbacksIllegal return payments
nepotism · cronyism · extortion · misappropriation · malfeasance · defalcation · payola · profiteering
Seaborne theft or bootlegging
- plagiarismUnattributed use of others' work
- infringementViolation of rights
- counterfeitingMaking fake money
- bootleggingIllegal alcohol production/sale
unauthorized · hack · breach · identity theft · phishing · copyright · intellectual property · trademark
Twist from original form
- pervertCorrupt or distort
- twistRotating motion or surprise
- warpBend from true form
- misrepresentDepict inaccurately or falsely
misinterpret · falsify · skew · misquote · spin · cherry-pick · out of context · bad faith
Harm or impairment
- injuryPhysical or psychological harm
- toxicityCapacity to cause harm
- contaminationIntroduction of impurities
- pollutionEnvironmental harm from waste
degradation · adverse effects · side effects · malpractice · negligence · recklessness · endangerment · impairment
mishandle
Manage incompetently or roughly
- misapplyUse incorrectly
- misappropriateWrongly take another's assets
- mismanageHandle duties poorly
misemploy · misdirect · misallocate · misgovern · misrule · misconduct · overuse · underuse · misplace · squander
squander
Use up carelessly
- depleteGreatly reduce supply
- exhaustUse up entirely
- overconsumeUse beyond necessity
inefficient · profligate · extravagant · unnecessary · frivolous · wastefulness · drain · dissipate · fritter away · throwaway
bribery
Corrupt payment for influence
- embezzlementFraudulent taking of entrusted assets
- fraudIntentional criminal trickery
- graftIllicit political gain
kickbacks · nepotism · cronyism · extortion · misappropriation · malfeasance · defalcation · payola · profiteering · venality
piracy
Seaborne theft or bootlegging
- plagiarismUnattributed use of others' work
- infringementViolation of rights
- counterfeitingMaking fake money
bootlegging · unauthorized · hack · breach · identity theft · phishing · copyright · intellectual property · trademark · patent
distort
Twist from original form
misrepresent · misinterpret · falsify · skew · misquote · spin · cherry-pick · out of context · bad faith · misleading
damage
Harm or impairment
- injuryPhysical or psychological harm
- toxicityCapacity to cause harm
- contaminationIntroduction of impurities
pollution · degradation · adverse effects · side effects · malpractice · negligence · recklessness · endangerment · impairment · hazard
- mis- wordsmisbehave, miscall, miscount, misdeed, misfire
- usage typesoveruse, underuse, nonuse
- wrongdoingmisconduct, crime, sabotage, crimes, misbehavior
- corruptioncorruption, graft, kickbacks, bribery, bribes
- homographsalternate, bass, bow, close, compound
- wastefulnesswaste, squandering, extravagance, profligacy, dissipation
misuseuse
Put into service
application · best practice · utilization · employment · utilize
- misuse of fundsImproper allocation of money
- substance misuseHarmful use of drugs/alcohol
- drug misuseHarmful use of substances
- data misuseImproper handling of information
- prescription misuseImproper use of medications
- apostrophe misuseIncorrect placement of punctuation mark