misapplication

M3I1S1A1P3P3L1I1C3A1T1I1O1N1

noun

The misuse of something, incorrectly using (applying) something, a wrong application.

“Trying to open a paint can with a chisel is a misapplication of the tool.”

UncommonScrabble 22

Meanings

nounmisapplication (countable and uncountable, plural misapplications)

plural misapplications

  1. countableuncountableThe misuse of something, incorrectly using (applying) something, a wrong application.

    Trying to open a paint can with a chisel is a misapplication of the tool.

    1 more example

    Julia Farrington, head of arts at Index on Censorship, argues that extra powers to ban violent videos online will "end up too broad and open to misapplication, which would damage freedom of expression".

    2012 April 19, Josh Halliday, “Free speech haven or lawless cesspool – can the internet be civilised?”, in the Guardian

Synonyms & antonyms

nounthe fraudulent appropriation of funds or property entrusted to your care but actually owned by someone else

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Origin

  1. Proto-Indo-European*mey-?
  2. Proto-Indo-European*meyth₂-
  3. Proto-Germanic*missaz
  4. Proto-Germanic*missa-
  5. Proto-West Germanic*missa-
  6. Old Englishmis-
  7. Middle Englishmys-
  8. Englishmis-
  9. Latinapplicātiō
  10. Old Frenchaplicacion
  11. Middle Englishapplicacioun
  12. Englishapplication
  13. Englishmisapplication

From mis- + application.

Full word history & related roots →

Rhymes & wordplay

Anagrams

Cite this entry
APA

misapplication. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/misapplication

MLA

“misapplication.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/misapplication. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “misapplication,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/misapplication.

Source: misapplication on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.