Meanings
adjective
- Used in an incorrect or inappropriate manner.
The oft misused word didn't mean what he thought it meant, but everyone else misunderstood it too.
verb
- participlepastsimple past and past participle of misuse
Synonyms & antonyms
adjectiveused incorrectly or carelessly or for an improper purpose
Opposite
Also see
Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.
Translations
Ancient Greek καταχρηστικός
- καταχρηστικός (katakhrēstikós)used in an incorrect or inappropriate manner
Latin abūsīvus
- abūsīvusused in an incorrect or inappropriate manner
Cite this entry
APA
misused. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/misused
MLA
“misused.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/misused. Accessed November 2, 2026.
Chicago
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “misused,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/misused.
Source: misused on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.