misusing
Applying incorrectly, harmfully
Misusing is using something wrongly or for an unintended purpose.
You can misuse a tool by applying it to the wrong task, misuse a word by employing it incorrectly, or misuse authority by exploiting it for personal gain: He was fired for misusing company funds.
The word often implies negligence or abuse rather than innocent error.
Incorrect or improper usage
- misappropriationWrongful taking of entrusted assets
- mishandlingManaging badly or clumsily
- mismanagementIncompetent handling of responsibilities
- improperLacking in propriety
exploitation · perversion · distortion · twisting · warping · misinterpretation · misrepresentation · contortion
Dishonest abuse of power
- briberyCorrupt payment for influence
- embezzlementFraudulent taking of entrusted assets
- extortionObtaining through threats
- graftIllicit political gain
nepotism · cronyism · malfeasance · profiteering · exploitation · abuse · overreach · coercion
Creating risk of harm
- damagingCausing loss or injury
- injuringCausing physical harm
- poisoningHarmful substance exposure
- overdosingExceeding safe dosage
contaminating · polluting · hazarding · malpractice · negligence · recklessness · carelessness · impairing
Intentional criminal trickery
- deceitDeliberate misleading of others
- misrepresentationFalse or misleading statement
- falsificationDeliberate alteration of truth
- fabricationDeliberately untrue statement
manipulation · dishonesty · trickery · subterfuge · duplicity · guile · sham · pretext
misapplication
Incorrect or improper usage
- misappropriationWrongful taking of entrusted assets
- mishandlingManaging badly or clumsily
- mismanagementIncompetent handling of responsibilities
improper · exploitation · perversion · distortion · twisting · warping · misinterpretation · misrepresentation · contortion · violation
corruption
Dishonest abuse of power
- briberyCorrupt payment for influence
- embezzlementFraudulent taking of entrusted assets
- extortionObtaining through threats
graft · nepotism · cronyism · malfeasance · profiteering · exploitation · abuse · overreach · coercion · intimidation
endangering
Creating risk of harm
overdosing · contaminating · polluting · hazarding · malpractice · negligence · recklessness · carelessness · impairing · jeopardizing
fraud
Intentional criminal trickery
- deceitDeliberate misleading of others
- misrepresentationFalse or misleading statement
- falsificationDeliberate alteration of truth
fabrication · manipulation · dishonesty · trickery · subterfuge · duplicity · guile · sham · pretext · imposture
- wastingsquandering, frittering, splurging, overspending, depleting
- corruptioncorruption, graft, kickbacks, bribery, bribes
- wastefulnesswaste, squandering, extravagance, profligacy, dissipation
- depletingusing up, depleting, exhausting, draining, consuming
misusingrespecting
About; on the topic
conserving · preserving · safeguarding · protecting · stewarding
misusingsaving
Reserving for future use
conserving · optimizing · maximizing · husbanding · economizing
usage, misuse, utensil, misused, abusing, disuse, disused, misuses, misuser