misuse
pronunciation
How to pronounce misuse in British English:
UK [ˌmɪsˈju:z]
How to pronounce misuse in American English:
US [mɪsˈjuz]
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- Noun:
- improper or excessive use
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- Verb:
- apply to a wrong thing or person; apply badly or incorrectly
- change the inherent purpose or function of something
Word Origin
- misuse (v.)
- late 14c., "to use improperly;" see mis- (1) + use (v.). Meaning "to subject to ill-treatment" is attested from 1530s. Related: Misused; misusing.
- misuse (n.)
- late 14c., from mis- (1) + use (n.). It aligns with the older sense of the verb misuse.
Example
- 1. Flagrant misuse of leftovers and reuse of fry oil .
- 2. And the only way of learning how to use properly a thing is through its misuse .
- 3. It is wrong to misuse our natural resources .
- 4. But using food to feed cars does not come close to an even greater apparent misuse of food .
- 5. Prosecutors want to question him about the misuse of public funds .