MISAPPLY Synonyms: 17 Similar and Opposite Words

misapply

verb

ˌmis-ə-ˈplī

Definition of misapply

as in to misuse

to put to a bad or improper use you've misapplied the theorem to certain problems that require a different formula kids who misapply their boundless energy and get into trouble

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of misapply First, if a bull market means to you that stocks are trending unequivocally upward, then, no, the bull market label is being misapplied right now. — Jeff Sommer, New York Times, 16 June 2023 Democrats in Tallahassee say the program isn’t just bad policy, it was misapplied to move migrants from Texas. — Todd J. Gillman, Dallas News, 7 June 2023 O'Shea said the study's findings have often been misinterpreted or misapplied since its publication. — Hannah Hudnall, USA TODAY, 2 June 2023 Ioniţă still has both qualities in equal measure, but they were sorely misapplied in his performance of Dvořák’s cello concerto. — Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2023 See All Example Sentences for misapply

Recent Examples of Synonyms for misapply

Verb

The Driver and Vehicle Information Database (DAVID), used by the FWC to track its critics, has a history of being misused by Florida law enforcement.

— Isabella Herrera, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2026
Touted as dream crime-fighting tools, networks of roadside cameras by Flock and other companies have also been misused to spy on people’s lives.

— Drew Harwell, Washington Post, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of misuse

Verb

Reports that federal immigration enforcement agencies have accessed Flock data, dozens of officers have abused the system to stalk women, and police have logged hundreds of searches related to protest activity sparked successive waves of backlash.

— N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 8 Aug. 2026
Instead, the Children's Trust was used and abused by the Kittrells for exclusively their own purposes and in fact the Kittrells treat the trust assets for nearly all purposes as their own.

— Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of abuse

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misapplies

misapply

misapplying

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“Misapply.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misapply. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of misapply

verb

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