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Definition of misuse verb from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

misuse

verb
 
/ˌmɪsˈjuːz/
 
/ˌmɪsˈjuːz/
(formal)
Verb Forms
present simple I / you / we / they misuse
 
/ˌmɪsˈjuːz/
 
/ˌmɪsˈjuːz/
he / she / it misuses
 
/ˌmɪsˈjuːzɪz/
 
/ˌmɪsˈjuːzɪz/
past simple misused
 
/ˌmɪsˈjuːzd/
 
/ˌmɪsˈjuːzd/
past participle misused
 
/ˌmɪsˈjuːzd/
 
/ˌmɪsˈjuːzd/
-ing form misusing
 
/ˌmɪsˈjuːzɪŋ/
 
/ˌmɪsˈjuːzɪŋ/
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  1. misuse something to use something in the wrong way or for the wrong purpose synonym abuse, ill-treat
    • individuals who misuse power for their own ends
    Extra Examples
    • ‘Marketing’ is a widely misused word in the book business.
    • He had grossly misused his power.
    • Several cabinet ministers were found guilty of misusing public funds.
    • The apostrophe is often misused, even by native English speakers.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb
    • grossly
    phrases
    • widely misused
    See full entry
  2. misuse somebody to treat somebody badly and/or unfairly
See misuse in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee misuse in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English

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adverb
 
 
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