Thesaurus: misuse

Related headwords

Definitions

1. v. t. To treat or use improperly; to use to a bad purpose; to misapply; as, to misuse one's talents.
2. v. t. To abuse; to treat ill.
3. n. Wrong use; misapplication; erroneous or improper use.
4. n. Violence, or its effects.
5. n. improper or excessive use
6. v. apply to a wrong thing or person; apply badly or incorrectly
7. v. change the inherent purpose or function of something
8. 1. To treat or use improperly; to use to a bad purpose; to misapply; as, to misuse one's talents. South. The sweet poison of misused wine. Milton. 2. To abuse; to treat ill. O, she misused me past the endurance of a block. Shak. Syn. -- To maltreat; abuse; misemploy; misapply. 1. Wrong use; misapplication; erroneous or improper use. Words little suspected for any such misuse. Locke. 2. Violence, or its effects. [Obs.] Shak.
9. v:43/n:57 n. improper or excessive use