I. mis ‧ use 1 /ˌmɪsˈjuːz/ BrE AmE verb [transitive]
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ usage , ↑ use , ↑ disuse , ↑ misuse , ↑ reuse , ↑ usefulness ≠ ↑ uselessness , ↑ user ; adjective : ↑ reusable , used ≠ ↑ unused , ↑ disused , ↑ useful ≠ ↑ useless , ↑ usable ≠ ↑ unusable ; verb : ↑ use , ↑ misuse , ↑ reuse ; adverb : ↑ usefully ≠ ↑ uselessly ]
1 . to use something for the wrong purpose, or in the wrong way, often with harmful results SYN abuse :
Even harmless drugs can be misused.
The term ‘schizophrenia’ is often misused.
There is concern that the judges might misuse their power.
2 . to treat someone badly or unfairly ⇨ abuse
II. mis ‧ use 2 /mɪsˈjuːs/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable and countable]
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ usage , ↑ use , ↑ disuse , ↑ misuse , ↑ reuse , ↑ usefulness ≠ ↑ uselessness , ↑ user ; adjective : ↑ reusable , used ≠ ↑ unused , ↑ disused , ↑ useful ≠ ↑ useless , ↑ usable ≠ ↑ unusable ; verb : ↑ use , ↑ misuse , ↑ reuse ; adverb : ↑ usefully ≠ ↑ uselessly ]
the use of something in the wrong way or for the wrong purpose SYN abuse :
a system designed to prevent credit card misuse
drug/alcohol misuse
Children who begin smoking when young are at greater risk from drugs misuse.
misuse of
a scandalous misuse of public funds