misuse

1. v. t. To treat or use improperly; to use to a bad purpose; to misapply; as, to misuse one's talents. Source: opted

2. v. t. To abuse; to treat ill. Source: opted

3. n. Wrong use; misapplication; erroneous or improper use. Source: opted

4. n. Violence, or its effects. Source: opted

5. n. improper or excessive use Source: wordnet

6. v. apply to a wrong thing or person; apply badly or incorrectly Source: wordnet

7. v. change the inherent purpose or function of something Source: wordnet

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. Source: webster

9. v:43/n:57 n. improper or excessive use Source: ecdict

Thesaurus links