Misusing Meaning in English

word · lemma: misuse

US

UK

Definition

Using something in the wrong way, often causing harm or problems. 'Misusing' can refer to objects, substances, or even ideas.

Usage & Nuances

'Misusing' is typically formal or neutral and often used in negative contexts involving rules, drugs, money, power, or information. Common phrases include 'misusing medication' or 'misusing your authority'. Avoid confusing with 'abuse', which is much stronger and often linked to harm.

• Spanish: usar mal - hacer mal uso de
• Portuguese (BR): usar de forma errada - fazer mau uso de
• Portuguese (PT): usar de forma errada - fazer mau uso de
• Chinese (Simplified): 滥用 - 错误使用
• Chinese (Traditional): 濫用 - 錯誤使用
• Hindi: गलत उपयोग करना - दुरुपयोग करना
• Arabic: سوء استخدام - استخدام بشكل خاطئ
• Bengali: ভুল ব্যবহার করা - অপব্যবহার করা
• Russian: неправильно использовать - злоупотреблять (не сильно)
• Japanese: 誤用する - 間違って使う
• Vietnamese: sử dụng sai - lạm dụng (mức nhẹ)
• Korean: 잘못 사용하다 - 오용하다
• Turkish: yanlış kullanmak - kötüye kullanmak (hafif anlamda)
• Urdu: غلط استعمال کرنا
• Indonesian: menyalahgunakan - menggunakan secara salah

Example Sentences

He was punished for misusing the school computer.

basic

Misusing medicine can be dangerous.

basic

He apologized for misusing a joke and offending someone in the meeting.

natural

The company was fined for misusing customer data.

basic

If you keep misusing my things, I won’t let you borrow them anymore.

natural

People are worried about politicians misusing their power.

natural